Burnley nightclub's licence is revoked for second time

Sgt Steve Dundon made his promise after Burnley Council's Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee revoked the premises licence for Proj3kt, in Hammerton Street, following a three-hour hearing on Thursday, January 15.

It was the second time its bosses, Jason and Rebecca McQuoid, had had the permit revoked over their management of the now-closed club and the third venue operated by the couple to suffer that fate.

In February 2025, Burnley Council's Licensing Act 2003 Sub Committee revoked the premises licence for Proj3kt.

The McQuoids of Mode Property, the sought to overturn the decision, and their appeal is due to be heard in full on Tuesday, January 20, at Lancaster Magistrates' Court.

The club was able to continue operating pending that appeal.

But on October 17, Proj3ekt was issued with a prohibition order by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, and on December 12, a closure order was issued by Blackburn Magistrates' Court over crime and disorder in and around the club.

This was confirmed by the Lancashire Magistrates' Court in Preston on December 22, with effect for three months until March 22.

Thursday’s hearing was required because of that closure order.

The committee on Thursday once again revoked the premises licence with immediate effect over concerns about crime and disorder, including violence and serving under-age customers.

After the hearing, Sgt Dundon said: “I welcome the decision.

“We want people to be able to go out and enjoy night-time economy venues and to feel safe.

“The incidents reported at this premises over many months gave us real concerns that it was only a matter of time before someone was seriously injured or worse.

“We welcome anyone who wishes to operate responsibly in our towns, but will continue to take firm action against those who don’t.”

Sgt Dundon said Proj3kt had reopened on October 17 despite the LFRS prohibition and had to be shut by the police, and was proposing to reopen the following day when he visited the premises.

He then played an 18-minute recording of a phone call with Jason McQuoid, littered with expletives, which the sergeant said was ‘not the attitude expected of a responsible operator’.

Sgt Dundon added the ‘recent serious tragic incident in Switzerland’ when a fire in a basement club claimed 40 lives and injured 119 showed the importance of fire safety measures.

He told the committee: “The operators of the venue, Jason and Rebecca McQuoid, have consistently shown they are unable to responsibly operate a nighttime economy venue.

“This is the third nightclub that they have operated that has had the premises licence revoked following the licensing objectives under the Licensing Act 2003 not being upheld.

 “In 2014, the Vogue Nightclub in Wigan, operated by Jason McQuoid, the director of Mode Properties Limited, which holds the premises licence for Proj3kt Nightclub, had its premises licence revoked.

“In March 2024, the Mode Nightclub, Hammerton Street, Burnley, also operated by Rebecca and Jason McQuoid, also had its premises licence revoked.

“In February 2025, the premises licence for Proj3kt was revoked.

“Despite this, incidents of disorder have continued and the police have no confidence that the operators have the ability to ensure that the Licensing Objectives are promoted at the Proj3kt nightclub. 

“I submit that the management has entirely failed in its response to the revocation.

“This is demonstrated by the incidents I have highlighted, the significant non-compliance during a visit in July, the blatant disregard for a fire prohibition notice and the involvement of door staff, engaged by Proj3kt to ensure order is maintained, allegedly assaulting people.”

Announcing revocation, committee chair Cllr Gemma Haigh said it was 'extremely concerned' that there had been 32 incidents of significant disorder deemed linked to the premises since February 10, 2025.

The McQuoids, who did not attend the hearing, have been approached for comment.