A NIGHTCLUB boss fears he will have to close his doors this weekend because new rules on door staff have left him with too few to keep troublemakers away, writes Scott Neil.

And it will leave Poole without a nightclub as the town's sole dance spot upstairs at Chilli's is set to remain in darkness this Friday and Saturday (September 17 and 18).

But police are stressing they are giving a period of grace for door staff who are waiting for official accreditation to be approved.

As of Monday September 13, all security staff at pubs and clubs must have a new licence issued by the Security Industry Authority (SIA), which weeds out applicants who have criminal records or are not properly trained.

There have been delays in the issuing of some licences, prompting Dorset Police to allow some leeway providing there is proof that door supervisors have made SIA applications.

But George Letore, of Chilli's nightclub, opposite Poole bus station, needs seven door staff to safely open the upstairs nightclub. At present he has one SIA licensed door supervisor, one awaiting a licence badge, another pending a decision and two who are appealing against refusal.

Mr Letore said: "The solution for me is to close down and get two more people trained.

"We've tried to get extra security but everyone is in the same position, everyone is struggling.

"The police are obviously aware, that's why they have given a one month margin to produce a licence.

"The only nightclub in Poole is closing because of the situation - not having the security to man the doors."

He added: "We must have barred 100 people over the past year. We have really cleaned the place up. Now these people will be laughing, because they realise these guys they are scared of will not be on the door anymore."

He said Chilli's would remain open as a downstairs bar.

Landlords belonging to Poole Pubwatch were due to meet Poole police licensing Sgt Dave Ramsey and Poole Safe PC Ian Watkin last night to discuss the issue.

Pubwatch vice-chairman Tim Welford, of the Blue Boar, said: "The majority of people with door staff have applied for the licences. The concern is that the qualifications are not through yet."

PC Watkin confirmed: "We are not going to prosecute as long as it can be shown that steps have been taken to apply for the new licences. We are aware that there are delays."

First published: September 15