THE manager of Epping nightclub One9Five has stepped down from his post as part of a new push by its owners to rebrand and reopen the controversial nightspot.
The club, in Cottis Lane, had its licence revoked by the district council after a mass brawl outside its premises in September, in which eight people were stabbed and many more injured.
David King, one of five businessmen who owns One9Five in a partnership, said part owner Scott Cummins had stepped down as a "designated premise supervisor" at the club, but would stay on in a lesser role.
An appeal against the council's decision to shut the club is due to be held in March, although the partnership are considering reapplying for a new licence before then, following a complete overhaul of security measures and discussions with the police and council.
Mr King said: “We're looking for a way forward and trying to tick all the boxes the council and police want us to tick.
“We're introducing a lot of changes and really trying to reassure people that it is a safe club.
“It would be devastating if we weren't able to reopen before March.
“The closure has had a big impact on the night-time economy in Epping. Several businesses have said to me their trade has gone down since we closed, and we had to lay off nearly 40 staff, so it has affected a lot of people.”
But a Guardian survey of Epping High Street found most people did not want the club to reopen.
Peter Gatenby, 62, of Lindsey Street, Epping, said: “I wouldn't want it to reopen as it will only attract more trouble.
“I drive past it every Friday night at kicking-out time and there always seems to be trouble and a large police presence.”
James Willis, 23, St John's Road in Epping, said: “Personally I don't want it to reopen. Before it reopened five or six years ago I used to feel safe walking around Epping at night, but not anymore. There were just too many incidents going on there.”
Fred James, 82, from Waterman's Way, North Weald, said: “If they behave themselves then it can be nice for the young 'uns to have a nightclub, they have to go somewhere.”
But wife Jean James, 80, said: “Young people do need somewhere to go but Epping is not a big place. One club is enough.”
Brian Rees, 50, of Brook Road, Epping, said: “The big problem is that Epping Police Station isn't open in the evenings so if it did reopen they would need to have a lot of extra security.
“I don't think there should be a place like that here, but then you could say that about any of the late-night bars round here.”
Heather Wilson, 72, of Theydon Bower, Epping said: “Epping is far too small to support it. But the main problem is the location. It's in an alleyway which is a dangerous place to have lots of drunk people crammed in.”
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