The fate of a Bingley nightclub at the centre of a murder investigation will be decided by councillors in the New Year.

Bijou, on Chapel Lane, had its license temporarily suspended earlier this month after threats of violence were made against the property, and police said there was “potential for future disorder at the premises.”

The owners have closed Bijou and previously indicated it will not be re-opening, but Bradford Council’s Licensing Committee will meet on January 3 to review the premises licence.

If the club does re-open, police say it will need to have an earlier closing time, new security staff and that door staff may have to wear body cameras.

On November 25, Bingley resident James Etherington, 24, was injured - and subsequently died from his injuries ten days later.

A murder investigation is continuing to establish the facts.

Bingley Town Council wrote to Bradford Council saying: “We request the licence for Bijou is withdrawn with immediate effect and is not re-instated.”

A letter from PC Kevin Lord, Bradford District Licensing Officer for West Yorkshire Police to the committee, says: “The incident which led to the Summary Review Hearing is currently the subject of a major enquiry and as such, West Yorkshire Police are not in a position to fully disclose the full details at this time.

“However, since the panel’s decision, the following facts have now been established by the Police Licensing Department: persons under the age of 18 years were present in Bijou at the time of the assault. There is a discrepancy regarding which door staff were actually working at the premises at the time of the incident. At the time of the incident, the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) and the Licence Holder were not present.”

It says that 65 per cent of offences linked to the club took place between midnight and 3am, adding: “Other offences in the immediate vicinity which we cannot directly link to the premises have occurred at 1.20am and 4.20am. It would suggest that the late opening hours of Bijou contributes to offences being committed.”

It says police “have been in contact with the licensee of Bijou and proposed conditions were discussed. Some were agreed in principle but others not.”

Police have asked for new conditions to be attached to the club if it re-opens including that its licence to supply alcohol is reduced from 4.30am to 3am, the “removal of the current DPS, Jonathan Dawkins, from the Premises Licence and the appointment of a new DPS who must be present on the premises at all times during licensable activity, that “the current security company employed by Bijou is replaced prior to any licensable activities taking place” and “door supervisors use body cameras whilst licensable activities take place at the premises.”

Rory Proctor, named in the report as the licence holder, declined to comment when contacted by the T&A. The committee meets in City Hall at 3pm.