Date set for Exeter Timepiece nightclub licence hearing

The owners of one of Exeter’s best-known nightspots will find out next week (November 17) what steps the city council plans to take after a young woman became ill and collapsed following a suspected Freshers Week spiking incident.

Members of the licensing sub-committee will meet to consider a review of the premises licence at Timepiece in Little Castle Street. The official reason for the review is: “Failure to protect and aid a vulnerable young person who became unwell whilst on the premises.”
Options for the council range from deciding no action is needed to revoking the club’s licence. Timepiece is one of the city’s most popular nightspots and a favourite haunt of university students.
The review of its licence was called after an incident in September when a young woman became ill and collapsed following a suspected spiking incident.
Barrister David Dadds has filed the application to have the licence renewed. His Essex-based firm is acting on behalf of the young woman and her family.
His submission to the committee says: “Complainant A became seriously unwell and collapsed immediately outside the premises.
“Despite obvious signs of medical distress, which necessitated being placed into the recovery position (weak pulse, breathing difficulty, foaming at the mouth) the SIA door supervisor(s) refused to call an ambulance.
“They directed that the complainant be moved away from the frontage of the premises rather than receiving on-site assistance.”
Mr Dadds says the incident showed a failure to protect a vulnerable patron and was ‘inconsistent with standards expected of a licensed premises’.
He says a medical student had to call a parent, who is a doctor, to assist over the telephone, while an ambulance was called by a fellow student.
Police are said to be investigating the incident as a spiking. Since the incident officers have worked with Timepiece on spiking awareness and the ‘Ask for Angela’ safety scheme.
The meeting will also see letters from people supporting Timepiece. One writes: “It is more than just a club to the students at Exeter. It is a place of history, fun, and most importantly, a safe environment to enjoy.
“The management team runs the venue very efficiently. They prioritise students’ needs and care more about their well-being than just the success of the club. Looking after customers is a priority. I had never heard of spikings before in Timepiece.”
Another says: “Timepiece has always demonstrated a genuine commitment to the safety and enjoyment of its customers. The staff care deeply about creating a welcoming and secure environment.”
And a third year university student says: “It’s more than just a nightclub. For me it is a space that takes safety seriously.”
Members of the licensing sub-committee have a number of options. They could decide that no action is needed, but they could also suspend or revoke the club’s licence altogether.
Other options include modifying the conditions of the licence and removing the Designated Premises Supervisor.