News that a nightclub has been forced to stop operating after a vicious brawl has been met with a mixed response from the community.
A man was left in a drug induced coma after being hospitalised following the fight outside Villa in Epping on Sunday March 1.
A number of tight controls were imposed yesterday by Epping Forest District Council following police recommendations, and the Cottis Lane venue will now no longer operate as a nightclub.
It has also been announced that Balvinder Singh, part owner of Wanstead restaurant Sumo Fresh, is the new owner and director of Villa.
COMMUNITY REACTION
Lisa Corrigan, 41, said the change is a positive move.
She said: “I am not a clubber myself, I know there are a lot of young people who like it but there is too much trouble, too many police having to hang around.
“I like walking down here with the dog, but it is not nice to think there will be a lot of trouble.
“There is always smashed glass on the floor.”
Peter Faulkner, 69, said those fighting outside Villa were “hooligans”, but added it was difficult for the owner to control.
He said: “These hooligans are coming in to Epping from elsewhere.
“You have to feel some sympathy for the nightclub owner because he can only police those who go inside.
“He cannot police them when they are outside.
“It seems to me that a lot of the trouble comes from people who have had a drink and then top up with cheaper drinks from the pub.
“They are already probably three parts on the way to getting drunk.
“It is not very pleasant for people living around here.
“You have to feel some sympathy for the owner, outside is not his jurisdiction.
“Where are the police?”
Karen Taylor, 48, said fighting was inevitable for young people of all generations around the country.
She said: “I just think it is a nightclub and you’re never going to stop fighting outside clubs when people are drunk.
“When there are men and women getting drunk, you cannot stop it.
“I do not know what the answer is, more police maybe.
“You have a lot of people coming in from inner London going to somewhere new, but we also did that when we were younger.”
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