Underground venue has premises licence revoked

An underground music and wedding venue in Cornwall has had its premises licence revoked amid safety concerns.

The verdict by Cornwall Council means Carnglaze Caverns near Liskeard, which has been running for 23 years, will no longer be able to sell alcohol or stage concerts.

A council licensing sub-committee made the decision following a request from Cornwall Fire Service, who said the venue was unsafe.

Carnglaze Caverns expressed its disappointment with the decision and said its owners are "taking professional advice and are exploring their right to appeal".

Speaking at the meeting, Matt Worthington, from Cornwall Fire Service, said it believed the licensed activities posed a "significant risk" to public safety, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

He raised several concerns including a lack of adequate fire warning and detection systems and insufficient escape routes for the occupancy of 450 people at the venue, which is a former slate mine.

Worthington added a single fire could "render both exits unusable" and a capacity of 60 people would be more appropriate.

He said the fire service had discussions with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) about which body had jurisdiction over the venue's licence as it is classed as a mine used for leisure activities.

Charlie Perkins, who spoke on behalf of his parents Lisa and Tony - who own the site, said HSE carried out yearly checks at the venue and the company took "health and safety very seriously".

Perkins said HSE considered themselves the licensing body and the people in charge of its health and safety.

He said this was confirmed by the fire service and HSE would not be taking any further action in relation to the extended travel distance towards the fire exits, which he said were "wide enough according to regulations to allow 450 people".

"That's the last we heard from them before this issue was raised, so it came sort of out of nowhere." Perkins added.

He said it was very unlikely the top and the lower cavern would fill with smoke at the same time and the only things which could catch fire were minimal as "everything down there is mostly rocks".

Council solicitor Mark Andrews said the licensing sub-committee considered all options available but felt the evidence showed and the issues raised by the fire service were reasonable, necessary and proportionate.

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