Paramedics were called to treat two people outside BG Max on Sunday. Picture: Tony Gay.

Crouch End nightclub’s licence in question after late night brawl

by Tim Lamden Thursday, August 9, 2012
5:46 PM

A notorious Crouch End nightclub is under the spotlight once again after two men were rushed to hospital with facial injuries following an early-hours fight outside the venue last Sunday.

The assault, which took place near BG Max around 3am, is the second serious incident at the Tottenham Lane venue in four months, after a 22-year-old man was stabbed with what was believed to have been a broken bottle in April.

BG Max owner Emil Rusanov, 35, told the Journal a fight broke out inside the club between an Albanian man and the two victims, believed to be friends of Romanian and Bulgarian descent.

According to Mr Rusanov, the men were removed from the club but continued to fight outside.

At which point a group of men began to attack the victims, smashing them in the face with glass whisky tumblers.

He said: “Normally we have one bouncer for 60 people and that night we had 80 people and five bouncers.

“If people want to fight they will, and even if you take them out they will continue and then it’s the police’s turn.

“I’ve got an appointment with the council next week; it’s not our fault to be honest - it happens in every club, in every borough.”

Hornsey councillor Errol Reid said ongoing problems with anti-social behaviour and noise at BG Max was causing “continuing concern” to residents nearby.

He added: “It is quite worrying when these incidents occur time after time because it creates unrest in the community about when it will happen next.”

Cllr Reid said the council and residents should consider the possibility of calling in the nightclub’s licence for review, as it acts as “the ultimate deterrent if the people that own the premises choose to disregard security”.

While the police were unavailable to comment, the Journal understands no arrests were made in this latest incident as the suspects had made off.

Meanwhile, two men, aged 18 and 23, who were arrested in connection with the incident at BG Max in April and bailed to return to a north London police station last month, have been released with no further action.