Member Article

Boro ‘Bongo’ gets licence back

A well known club likened to the iconic Transporter Bridge and the Chicken Parmo is set to reopen after it was shut down temporarily.

Club Bongo International, in Middlesbrough, has had its licence suspended for three weeks following a serious assault at the club last month.

But during a licensing meeting at Middlesbrough Council on Tuesday, councillors agreed the club could reopen if it met stringent conditions.

The club must carry out regular searches for weapons and drugs, have comprehensive CCTV in operation, have easily identifiable door staff and other staff members and use plastic drinks cups.

Bongo manager Abdi Farrah said the club would be open as usual this weekend.

“We would like to thank the police and the council for their assistance at this time,” he added.

Simon Catterall, the solicitor representing Club Bongo, had previously said the club was “as much a part of this town as the Transporter Bridge or the chicken parmo”.

During the meeting, Mr Catterall said the licensee had worked closely with police to improve security, including upgrading the CCTV system.

He also told the committee that the club had been in Middlesbrough, on Bridge Street West, for at least 50 years.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .