SupperClub, in Tacket Street, bar has licence saved by Ipswich Borough Council after police called for review

A town bar has had its licence saved after police called for a review.

Members of Ipswich's licensing and regulatory committee met this morning to discuss the future of SupperClub, in Tacket Street, after Suffolk Police urged the council to review the premises licence.

Sharon Betts-Palmer, the force's licensing officer, said Suffolk Police had 'very grave concerns' about the way the business was being run — officers were called to 21 incidents over the past 12 months.

Two particular incidents from October this year made the bulk of the constabulary's review application.

The first, on October 13, related to a fight between six men, although Mr Ian Seeley, the owner's solicitor, argued there was no police evidence provided about the incident, stressing two men were banned from the premises.

He added: "It was one of those incidents in a licence premises that just starts spontaneously — it's just a fight."

In the second incident, on October 20, councillors were told, the owner of the club, Mr Ervin Hyso, confronted a customer because he was banned from the premises and a fight ensued.

CCTV footage was shown of the incident.

Asked about his behaviour, Mr Hyso said: "I moved to Ipswich to live so I want to do my best for this town so, if I do something wrong, please help me to do better — I'm not perfect.

"When I saw myself in this video I thought that's not me, I look crazy.

"It's never going to happen again, I'm working on myself — I am ready to do anything to make this place better."

Three men were arrested for affray and a two-day closure order was issued — a police investigation is ongoing.

Several other incidents were mentioned in the police's review application.

On April 7, 2024, a woman was said to have been repeatedly sexually assaulted by a man in the bar and, after reporting it to door staff, was ejected alongside her associates instead of the man.

Addressing this issue, as well as other incidents within the police's report, Mr Seeley said Mr Hyso did not know of many of the incidents mentioned, stressing the force had not requested CCTV footage.

Sergeant Steven Wright, who submitted the review application and was at the meeting, said they had submitted details of incidents to provide a balanced view.

He said: "We don't investigate everything, it's a simple fact — but that doesn't mean to say it hasn't happened."

Mr Seeley said the police had a duty to not 'dress up allegations' when it impacted someone's livelihood.

He added: "There are some criticisms that have to be levelled at the police as to how they have presented this premises.

"I am pro-police but I wouldn't be very impressed to see allegations in a review application form dressed up as truth because I don't think that's right."

After some consideration in private, members decided to allow the owner to keep the licence but with some modifications.

These included requiring three door staff on Friday and Saturday, sending out a letter warning about future behaviour and suggesting better cooperation with the police.

The last change to the licence was to replace the dedicated premises supervisor, which had already been done.