POLICE allegations of glassings look to have scuppered plans for a venue to sell alcohol late at night at Christmas and New Year parties.
The Derby Rastafarian Association applied to the city council to sell booze at parties at Colombo House, Colombo Street, from midnight to 6am on Sunday, and 10pm to 7am at New Year.
It has a long-term lease to run its place of worship on the bottom floor of the building which doesn't have any licence to sell alcohol so would need the temporary permission.
City councillors turned down the application after allegations were made by Derbyshire police about the venue.
A statement from the force said: "We objected because we felt the events posed a risk of attracting crime and disorder.
"At one event, held at the centre this year, a member of door staff was glassed and, at another event, a fight spilled out from the centre onto the street outside where a man was then hit with a glass."
A police objection made against the application, ahead of a meeting of the General Licensing Sub-committee to decide on it, says: "The police have great concerns that the applicant and other supervision at these premises have not been able to work with the responsible authorities in an effort to support and uphold licensing objectives."
The association has appealed against the decision at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court, saying it feels "the hearing was not conducted in accordance with law".
Association secretary Raj Narroya said they had asked for evidence at the meeting of what the police had alleged but this was not provided.
A police spokeswoman responded: "The panel didn't request any further information about the two recorded crimes."
Mr Narroya said: "It's the sale of alcohol that you need a licence for. The events are going to take place anyway and people would be allowed to bring their own alcohol, but alcohol can't be on sale at any point."
Asked how many would attend the parties, he said the capacity of the venue was 200.
As part of the original application, association treasurer, Peter McNally, said: "Temporary event notices have been applied for and granted at the premises with similar opening and closing times, with no objection from the police. I see no valid reason why the police continue to try and obstruct events taking place at our premises; I feel their input is irrelevant, frivolous, and vexatious."
Councillor Jangir Khan, who chaired the licensing meeting, was unavailable for comment.
