Darwen pub radio scheme could be reintroduced after Jay Jay Livesey Taylor's death

Councillors from Blackburn with Darwen Council, along with representatives from Lancashire Police and members of Bar-U — a Darwen organisation of bar managers — attended a meeting at Level One nightclub in Darwen.

It was called two weeks after Jason ‘Jay Jay’ Livesey Taylor, 23, who lived in Darwen, was stabbed in the neck with a champagne glass inside the Esco-Bar, in The Green, Darwen.

The attendees proposed to create a new radio scheme between the licensed pubs in Darwen.

If introduced, the scheme would link the town centre pubs with other licensees, their staff and the police.

Cllr Phil Riley, executive member for regeneration, said: “Our deepest condolences go out to Jason’s family and friends.

“A big priority from Tuesday night’s meeting was to introduce a new radio scheme for the town and we have agreed to respond to the wishes of the licensees to help purchase a new radio scheme that will link them up with other licensees, their staff and the police.

“The radio system, when in place, will help to identify any problems and hopefully help people visiting the town for a night out feel safer.”

Police inspector Abid Khan said he would welcome the ‘reinvigoration’ of the radio scheme but it would come at a cost which police would not be in a position to fund.

Roy Davies, mayor of Darwen Town Council, said: “Anything that can be put in place to make people safe when they come to Darwen is absolutely great. We did pay for radios quite a few years ago for pubs to use so they were all linked up. It’s a good idea but a lot will depend on who will finance it.”

Jack Costello, 44, of Victoria Street, Rishton, appeared before a judge at Preston Crown Court and has been accused of murder.

Costello is set to appear for a plea and case management hearing before Judge Mark Brown, the honorary recorder of Preston, on March 26.

A trial date for Costello has been set for July 30.