Opium Nightclub, the winner of Luxury Lifestyle Awards in the category of Best Luxury Nightclub in London 2019, has lost its licence. The 500 capacity nightclub had only been open since December 2018 following a £7 million pound refurbishment of its Rupert Street Location. The club hosted a promoted event on 25th August 2019 at which one person was stabbed and another person was shot. The Metropolitan Police brought summary review proceedings and the licence was suspended as an interim step. At the full review hearing on 23/9/19 Westminster City Council revoked the licence following what the police termed a catalogue of breaches of the licence conditions. The police maintained that the incidents were entirely preventable had proper search procedures and other protocols been followed.
James Rankin of Francis Taylor Building represented the police. Philip Kolvin KC represented the club.