Dad of ‘murdered’ Chesterfield soldier ‘disgusted’ at council’s bar decision

Joseph Robotham, who lived on Sheffield Road, died aged 23 after he was allegedly hit to the head with a glass bottle outside Vibe in Holywell Street during the early hours of February 8.

MORE: These stores at Chesterfield's Vicar Lane Shopping Centre will reopen on Monday

After the tragedy, Vibe temporarily shut then cut its closing time to 5am when it reopened.

In March, before the Covid-19 pandemic shut much of the hospitality and leisure sector, the club submitted a premises licence variation application to Chesterfield Borough Council because it wanted to go back to its previous closing time of 6am.

The council’s licensing committee met virtually last week and approved the premises licence variation, subject to new security conditions.

Richard Robotham, Joseph’s father, told the Derbyshire Times: “I’m absolutely shocked and disgusted in the council for extending the licence for Vibe.

“The town centre is a known trouble spot, often described as the 'Wild West', and this was an opportunity to curtail problems.

“My son is not the only person to have been killed in the town centre on a night out yet nothing has been done.

“It’s obvious people’s lives do not matter.

“I’m appalled.”

Chesterfield Borough Council, police and Vibe respond

A council spokesperson said it is ‘understandable’ that Mr Robotham’s family will have concerns – and added the authority would take enforcement action if security conditions are breached.

“The council’s first priority is to ensure the safety and welfare of people visiting Chesterfield’s licensed premises,” the spokesperson said.

“Joseph Robotham’s death was a tragic incident and one that we hope will never be repeated in Chesterfield town centre.

“Vibe’s application to reinstate alcohol sales to 24 hours was approved with the introduction of two additional conditions imposed by the council’s licensing committee – that all security staff at the premises must wear body cameras while on duty and that these must be in full working order and filming at all times, and that sensors must be fitted to all fire exits to alert staff when these exits are used.

“The council will actively monitor Vibe’s implementation of these new conditions alongside the premises’ compliance with existing licensing conditions and will take enforcement action if they are not being followed.

“It is understandable that Mr Robotham’s family will have concerns about the council’s decision. However, the committee felt that the application could be allowed conditional on the applicant’s acceptance of the introduction of extra security measures.”

Sergeant Mat Winterbottom, of Derbyshire Constabulary’s north division licensing team, added: “We understand and sympathise with the concerns of the family of Joseph Robotham, who died following an incident outside Vibe bar in February.

“Following that incident Vibe voluntarily closed and agreed for their opening hours to be reduced. They worked with us and have been co-operative with measures that we asked to be implemented to increase safety.

“From what we understand, during this time other businesses decided to open for a longer period of time and there is competition for the 3am to 6am trade.

“As far as we are aware there are no immediate plans for the opening of Vibe or other premises in Chesterfield this time due to Covid-19 guidance and restrictions – as businesses work out how to trade viably and safely.

“If people have concerns or wish to complain about the opening hours of a licensed premise in Chesterfield, they should contact the Chesterfield Borough Council licensing team.”

Giacchino Livoti, of Vibe, said the bar has ‘always expressed condolences to Jospeh Robotham’s family and volunteered to close as a mark of respect’.

He added that a 2020 report showed Chesterfield town centre has ‘one of the lowest crime rates when benchmarked to national, regional and county comparators’.

Mr Livoti added: “For the record, the 2020 report shows a 6.5 per cent decrease in crime at town centre night-time locations between 2017-2019, mainly caused by low social attendance.

“Indeed, the impact of Vibe closing during February 2020 versus February 2019 shows that far from reducing crime, it increased by 100 per cent to 250 per cent at other night-time locations. This is a direct result of patrons no longer reveling in Vibe’s supervised and protected environment till 6am and instead roaming till the very early hours, causing street disturbances and increasing crime.

“Chesterfield’s low crime correlates to a critical decline in its night-time economy which does not support the positive development of the town centre. Low trading volumes will be further affected by Covid-19 and potentially reduce the town centre social amenities to unsustainable levels.

“In conclusion, Vibe has always been and continues to be at the forefront of safe night-time entertainment and goes far beyond the standard crime and disorder prevention policies. This said, Vibe cannot be held accountable for the actions of individuals.”

After February’s incident, Connor Rose, 24, of no fixed abode, was charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon. He is due to stand trial later this year.

A second man, 28, was arrested on suspicion of affray and subsequently released on bail pending further enquiries.

MORE: Government figures reveal how many people have been furloughed in Derbyshire