Above Nigel Hincliff affectionately known as the Mayor of Holmfirth taking over the microphone

Centre left is Nigel, one of the fancy dress judges, who was a chef in the 80's at The Hilton Hotel Nigel now runs and owns The Croppers in Marsh, Huddersfield

Below was received in the post addressed to Johnny in 1988 with £1 note enclosed.

2804121921

NIGHT CLUB WINS APPEAL ON NON-MEMBERS RULING

Local police had to be turned away when they applied to hold an event at a local night club because of a members-only rule; Huddersfield Crown Court was told yesterday.

But the court decided that Huddersfield licensing justices were wrong in refusing to grant John Patrick Marsden, proprietor of Johnny’s, in Beast Market, an open licence.

They allowed his appeal against the refusal which means that from now on the membership-only rule no longer applies. Mr Marsden’s application to have a full open licence, together with a special hours certificate, was turned down by the licensing justices on February 13 and Mr John Harrison, for Mr Marsden, said they may have been unduly influenced by a report presented to them by the chief superintendent of police who made remarks to the effect that establishments which had open licences and were not restricted to members and guests exported their trouble on to the streets.

NO OBJECTION

In fact, said Mr Harrison, the police did not object to Mr Marsden’s application and had agreed that his client’s premises were one of the better controlled clubs in town. “In fact the local police applied to have an event at Johnny’s and were turned away because of the membership rule,” said Mr Harrison. He added that many local firms wanted to hold special functions at the club and had to be refused. Mr Simon Lawler, for the licensing justices, said it was accepted that Mr Marsden was a fit and proper person, that his premises conformed to the proper standards and there was no criticism of any kind in the way they were conducted. He said the magistrates had based their decision on the fact that there were other premises in Huddersfield which had open licences and that if Johnny’s was granted one then the removal of the membership conditions might have resulted in less supervision and control. They took the view that the membership safeguard also safeguarded control of the premises.

DIFFERENT LINE

Mr Harrison said that although other premises might employ “bouncers” his client took a different line. He would continue to ensure that anyone who in opinion of the people at the door were not of respectable character would not be allowed in.

The Recorder granted an application from Mr Harrison for costs against the licensing justices which it was explained would come from central funds.