Stalybridge nightclub loses booze licence following dance floor brawl

A nightclub in Stalybridge has lost its alcohol licence after councillors heard a man was knocked unconscious following a dance floor brawl.

Police and paramedics were called down to Decades Heaven and Hell in the early hours of March 1. A man was found unconscious and not breathing, a town hall meeting heard. 

At around 3am, a man headbutted another man on the dance floor before choking him until he was unconscious and unresponsive, a meeting in Dukinfield Town Hall was told.

The victim was taken to Tameside General Hospital. A licence review hearing on March 31 was called by Tameside council after Greater Manchester Police raised concerns about the nightclub. 

PC Craig Foley told the licensing panel the victim was unconscious when they arrived 16 minutes after an emergency call was made.

A suspect was arrested on suspicion of committing grievous bodily harm, the panel heard. Greater Manchester Police confirmed a person has since been bailed.

PC Foley’s statement read: “Attending police officers requested the CCTV footage. The DPS was not present and no one on site could work the CCTV to show the officers the footage of the incident to allow them to progress the investigation. 

“The investigating Police officers have then sent a link for the nightclub to send the CCTV. This footage was not sent and only after many phone calls and wasted time did the footage get sent.”

The video was shown to the panel but not the press or public. 

Tara Mistry, who lives next door to Decades Heaven and Hell on Market Street, said her sleeps has suffered and it has taken a toll on her mental health.   

She added: “How much more do you expect me to take? Everything is on top of me and I am suffering.”

Licence holder Ian Whittaker did not attending the meeting. Council officers were told he intends to sell business and surrender his licence. 

Phil Morton from the town hall’s licensing team said a string of complaints had been made in the past few years, including in August 2024 following a number of violent assaults. 

Mr Morton said: “We have heard how it has been a problem bar for a number of years. It has gotten significantly worse over the last few years.

“We have seen people on the streets outside the nightclub sighting with other people going past. In essence the premises has been a problem for a number of years.”

The licensing panel, chaired by Coun Susan Quinn, agreed to revoke the venue’s alcohol licence.