‘Nightclub for kids’ where TWELVE-year-old girls ‘use cocaine’ & 13-year-olds pass out drunk on pavement is closed down
A VILE night club for kids has been disgraced after cops claim teens snorted cocaine and carried knives.
Sunny’s Bar, also known as Sonny’s came under fire after a damning report alleged under-age drinking and drug taking was rampant at the Welsh seaside venue in Towyn.
The pub and first floor club Bentley’s has now lost its alcohol licence for three months after dozens of shocking incidents involving young teens so drunk they required hospitalisation.
It is also temporarily closed down as controversy and ill-feeling shrouds the venue.
A shocking event hosted by the under-18s club in August saw a 13-year-old “unconsciously drunk” and being treated by paramedics.
Meanwhile, there were concerns “that children may have taken cocaine and ketamine”, at the 15th birthday party according to a report by North Wales Police.
Extra units had to be called out to manage the 50 to 60 children at the venue – which was only being overseen by two staff members.
Premises licence holder, Tania Kendrick, was captured on CCTV footage blatantly allowing more kids to sneak in.
And, it’s also been claimed staff members failed to step in and help vulnerable intoxicated children lying on the pavement outside.
Inspector Smith from North Wales Police confirmed when cops arrived there were “three children in an excessively drunk state”
“There was concern that children may have also taken cocaine and ketamine,” he added.
“Of the three children who were treated by the ambulance service at the scene, two were taken to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.”
‘GATECRASHERS’
A spokesperson for the pub said: “The party was held for a small number of teenagers and as we insisted several adults were in attendance too, this was in addition to our manager, DPS (designated premises supervisor) and bar staff.
“As all would expect, the party was a completely dry party, meaning the bar was not open. Unlike many venues running similar private events, even adults were not permitted a single alcoholic drink.
“In addition, so that no gatecrashers would attend and there was no confusion for the general public as to whether we had opened early we kept our front door closed for general admittance and used our rear entrance for this private event, which is a safe, well illuminated entrance, covered by CCTV.”
However, the spokesperson claimed there were a “large number of gatecrashers” who brought with them “a small number of alcoholic items”.
“We do not have the authority to body search children, nor would we ever do so,” they added.
“Unfortunately two of these individuals became ill very suddenly. The reasons why are unknown to all but the children in question.
“However we can categorically state that they were not served anything alcoholic whilst on our premises.”
But, the club’s owner Emma Priestley said she felt let down by the manager.
The mum-of-four said: “I can’t apologise enough. Nothing like this would ever happen again.”
‘SHUT IT DOWN’
Nevertheless, Sonny’s continues to spark outrage in the local community as residents say it attracts anti-social behaviour.
In total cops recorded 16 fights, threats of and use of weapons, drunkenness and theft in their report.
Nearby businesses have made multiple complaints to the force about the negative impact the bar has on them.
But, the primary concern is keeping children in the town safe, as locals say it is “rife with drugs”.
Retired couple, David and Elizabeth Corns, moved to Towyn five years ago and say the town becomes a “nightmare” over the summer months.
Elizabeth, 75, said: “I think they should be shut down because its not good for the area, especially if people are coming here on holiday with their families.
“You can hear the music booming out even when we’re inside our bungalow and people shouting in the street.
“And it seems to get worse here every year for drugs.
“Drugs are rife and I’ve seen teenagers blatantly smoking cannabis in alleyways.”
Retired cop David, 74, who believes “county lines gangs from Liverpool and Manchester” have targeted the resort, said he’d tried to highlight issues with the local force but “they weren’t interested”.
“I told them about one drug dealer who was using a scooter,” he said.
“But it was never investigated.”
Meanwhile, another fed-up local Doreen Franklin, 72, said: “It’s worrying kids have been getting drunk and causing trouble.
“I’ve lived here for 34 years and when I first moved here we never had those kids of problems.
“It was a much friendlier place to live.”
One mum, who has two daughters 11 and 12, said she’d seen two fights involving teenagers – one outside her own home and another close to Sunny’s.
“I know they have kids’ parties at Sunny’s,” she said.
“But I wouldn’t let my two daughters go there, I’d be too worried.
“I know times have changed since I was a youngster but you shouldn’t be encouraging under-age drinking.”
And, fellow resident Stacey Bagley called for the venue to be closed after she heard two girls boasting about taking drugs at a party there.
“I went into a shop with my nephew and there were two girls trying to buy alcohol,” said the 37-year-old.
“They got asked for ID and it turned out they were only aged 12 and 14 so they got an 18-year-old lad to buy for them instead.
“They were also talking about how they’d smoked weed [cannabis] and taken cocaine at a party, which is shocking.
“So, absolutely, I hope the police do close it down.”
SUNNY’S SUPPORT
Although the bar has been wreaking havoc on the area, according to several residents, there are some who support Sunny’s.
Joe McDonagh, 67, said: “It’s terrible that children have been carrying on like.
“The place does need cleaning up but it will be a shame if the place closes all together.
“Holidaymakers and locals also enjoy the bar all the time and don’t misbehave.”
Meanwhile mum-of-two Sharon Jones, 42, added: “It’s a ghost town out of season.
“There’s no much to do and most of the shops shut down.
“I wouldn’t like to see Sunny’s and Bentley’s shut for good even though it’s been a bit of a nightmare.”
LOST LICENCE
Following the controversy surrounding the pub and ‘kid’s club’ upstairs, the council made their long-awaited decision regarding Sunny’s future.
While the venue has not been closed down, it has had its alcohol licence stripped away for three months.
A spokesperson for Conwy Council said: “Following a review by Conwy Council Licensing Authority, Sub “Committee on the 8th of December.
“The premises licence is to be suspended for a period of 3 months.
The Designated Premises Supervisor has been removed.
Significant conditions have been added to protect children from harm.
“All the above are subject to appeal.”