UPDATE: Bid to adjourn meeting which could close South Woodford nightclub Funky Mojoe is denied

A bid to postpone a licensing hearing on the future of a nightclub dogged by claims of crime and disorder has been rejected.

Funky Mojoe’s future is being discussed today by the licensing sub-committee in the first of a three-day hearing at Redbridge Town Hall, High Road, Ilford.

Redbridge Council’s head of community protection has said the nightspot’s licence should be revoked or its opening hours reduced.

The licensing authority has prepared a case against the club after complaints from residents and two serious fights in January and February.

Via its solicitors Dadds, the venue was calling for the hearing to be adjourned.

Dadds say they have not received representations from the police and their supporting documents.

They are also arguing that the legal representative of the licence holder was on annual leave until Tuesday, and has not had appropriate time to prepare.

But this afternoon, four hours after the hearing began, councillors sitting on the committee denied the request for an adjournment.

Meanwhile, the committee has heard the manager of Funky Mojoe was in a car accident this morning and so could not attend.

The main part of the hearing – the review of the club’s licence – has now begun