A nightclub in Burnley opened its doors at the weekend despite being told to “close immediately” following an audit from the fire and rescue service.
Proj3kt nightclub, on Hammerton Street, underwent a pre-arranged fire safety audit on October 17. This is a systematic inspection of a building and its records to ensure effective management of fire safety measures and compliance with legal requirements.
The fire service issued a prohibition notice to the venue, which remains in place at the time of writing (October 21). Under the legal order, the venue must close immediately until “identified risks are resolved and approved by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service”.
According to the fire service, it will only restrict access to a building when “there is clear evidence of an immediate fire safety risk to anyone occupying the building”.
The fire service said it is “committed to working constructively with the premises owners to help ensure the venue can operate safely and in full compliance with fire safety regulations”.
Writing on Facebook, a spokesperson for Proj3kt said it disagreed with the ruling of the fire service, claiming £20,000 has been spent on “upgrading the electrical system and emergency lighting and in general get the place up to scratch for the safety of customers and staff”.
On a Facebook post, a spokesperson said it would be open on Friday night, despite the earlier inspection.
Police confirmed they attended the nightclub at around 1.30am on Saturday, October 18, to assist with the closure and clearance of the premises.
It confirmed the premises had opened in breach of a prohibition notice.
A spokesperson for the fire service said: “Following a pre-arranged fire safety audit on Friday 17 October at Proj3kt Nightclub in Burnley, fire safety inspectors from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service identified serious concerns regarding the building’s fire safety measures and management. As a result, the Service issued a Prohibition Notice under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
“This legal notice, which remains in place, means that the premises must close immediately until the identified risks are resolved and approved by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. The decision to prohibit access is only taken when there is clear evidence of an immediate fire safety risk to anyone occupying the building.
“Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, alongside local authority licensing officers, has previously visited Proj3kt Nightclub. However, no further details can be released at this stage.
“The service remains committed to working constructively with the premises owners to help ensure the venue can operate safely and in full compliance with fire safety regulations.”
A police spokesperson said: "We attended the Proj3kt nightclub around 1.30am on Saturday, October 18, to assist door staff with the safe closure and clearance of the premises.
"The premises had opened in breach of a prohibition notice served on October 17 by the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service."
It was revoked over concerns around children as young as 13 being admitted into the venue, drug sale and use, and anti-social behaviour.
The club's owner's Jason and Rebecca McQuoid are seeking to overturn the decision through the courts.
They appeared at Burnley Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, August 26 for a case management hearing.
Proj3kt was approached for comment. It declined to comment further about the fire service’s statement but said it is “in the hands of a solicitor and they will be dealing with it”.
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