by Karina Barker

A Margate bar promoted on Facebook as being "good for kids" has closed, after police uncovered a catalogue of drugs and other offences.

Lulu’s Purple Bar in Marine Terrace, Margate was raided by police in December after reports that drugs were being dealt on the premises.

They found traces of cocaine in 14 places, including the office, behind the bar, inside the till and in the ceiling void of the cellar, which led police to believe that the drug was being "widely handled" in non-public areas of the bar.

A report submitted to Thanet Council’s licensing sub-committee reveals that when officers entered the bar at 11pm on December 17:

• One man was arrested after trying to swallow suspected cocaine as police arrived. He was arrested and is on bail pending forensic tests.
• An off-duty licensed door supervisor was given an on-the-spot fine for possession of herbal cannabis.
• A barmaid was arrested and later cautioned for possession of cocaine. Discarded cocaine wraps of the same type as those in her possession were found on the floor.
• The DJ was arrested and cautioned for possession of Amphetamine. When questioned he claimed to have bought the drugs at Purple Bar.
• Ecstasy tablets were also found on the premises.
• Police search dogs indicated several areas where traces of drugs were suspected, and swabs found cocaine in all but one area.
• The dogs were unable to search the men’s toilets because a "rancid stench" made it unsafe.
• A woman in fake Elvis sideburns had to be escorted from the bar by police after she repeatedly swore at officers asking her to leave.

Three men were also restrained by police, one on suspicion of being drunk and two for acting aggressively.

The two later men were searched for drugs but none was found.
The raid came after a number of visits by police and licensing officers throughout the last six months of 2011.

The report to the sub-committee states that the licence had been granted in 2005 and officers had had no concerns until last summer.

In June last year, Louise Bottone took over the roles of licensee and Designated Premises Supervisor, but officers expressed concern that she was not available whenever they visited and staff didn’t appear to have any contact details for her.

Officers first visited the bar in July after complaints of loud music being played.

In August they visited again, and found the music was so loud it could be heard in their police car 150ft away.

The fire doors were padlocked and the person in charge had no licensing experience.

A letter was sent to the licensee, suggesting conditions to be put on the licence to enable her to keep the bar open.
A reply was never received.

Police continued to receive reports of drug dealing and underage drinking, and made several visits.

Louise Bottone wasn’t on the premises whenever officers visited.
In another visit on October 28, officers found that none of the staff was licensed.

Since the December raid police have requested that Thanet Council revoke the licence of the bar.
The case is due to be heard on Tuesday (February 28) at 11am.

Last week, the licence was voluntarily surrendered - but in accordance with the 2003 Licensing Act, an individual has 28 days to reapply for a surrendered licence, so the hearing will still go ahead.

On the Lulu’s Purple Facebook page, under services, it reads: “Takes Reservations, Walk-Ins Welcome, Good For Groups, Good For Kids.”

The full report is available to view on Thanet Council’s website.