Gold Coast gay club MP’s to close, owner claims licencing authorities are “closed minded”

The manager of the Gold Coast’s sole gay-friendly nightclub is accusing “closed minded” licensing authorities of forcing the venue’s demise as she tries to sell it at a discount price.

THE manager of the Gold Coast’s sole gay-friendly nightclub is accusing “closed minded” licensing authorities of forcing the venue’s demise as she tries to sell it at a discount price.

But authorities reject any insinuation of an anti-gay agenda, with an Office of Liquor and Gaming statement saying any decisions about venue licensing are made according to law.

MP’s Nightclub manager Claire Kingston, who is transgender, has listed the popular Surfers Paradise venue up for sale, over what she alleges was a biased department decision to cancel the licence.

Gold Coast Nightclub MP's in hot water. Photo by Richard Gosling

On January 11 this year the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) cancelled the nightclub licence for MP’s Nightclub, held by ASIX Entertainment Pty Ltd.

The decision came as a surprise to Ms Kingston, who told the Bulletin she was notified just the day before.

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“They told me it was due to a conviction of my business partner. I was completely unaware. It took me totally by surprise,” Ms Kingston said.

“Nobody told me beforehand. The licence was just cancelled.

MP's Nightclub lost its liquor licence and is now for sale.

“I was born transgender and the OLGR has never given me the time of day, they have never acknowledged me. I believe they are close minded and don’t want a venue like ours here.

“I can’t operate so it has been financially devastating.”

Ms Kingston is a part owner of ASIX Entertainment, the firm that operates MP’s with Steven Ritchardson, who previously operated Escape, a Surfers Paradise club.

In 2017 Mr Ritchardson was fined $83,000 for unlawfully using copyrighted pop music at Escape.

MP's Nightclub

On June 8 last year Mr Ritchardson pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court to possessing dangerous drugs, possession of property suspected to be used in connection to a drug offence, and being in control of a motor vehicle while drugs were present in the system.

Ms Kingston said she was not told of Mr Richardson’s legal issues and had not heard from him since the licence was cancelled.

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“I have heard nothing so it is just me on my own,” Ms Kingston said.

Claiming confidentiality, OLGR would not confirm to the Bulletin if Mr Richardson’s drug convictions were what triggered the licence cancellation.

Inside MP's nightclub at Surfers Paradise

Ms Kingston has since disputed the cancellation in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) and has sought a stay in order to continue to operate and have the licence transferred into her name.

On March 15, QCAT refused the stay application. An application to review the decision to cancel the licence will be heard at a later date.

Ms Kingston said she was devastated by the decision. She thought the matter should have been a simple transfer.

“They could have overturned the decision and moved it to me. There is not reason why I couldn’t have been the licensee.

“They don’t want a gay venue at Surfers Paradise. They are closed minded.”

Ms Kingston had listed the club on Gumtree for just $30,000.

An outdoor ad showing two women in G-strings landed the Gold Coast Nightclub MP's in hot water. Photo by Richard Gosling

“I spent well over $150,000 in sound and lighting and a new potential owner could take on a licence in six to 10 weeks.

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“I have been paying $1800 in rent every single week but have been unable to trade.

“It is disappointing for the community. The venue was going from strength to strength. I want to thank them all from the bottom of my heart.”

This is not the first time MP’s has been involved in controversy. Last year the club was ordered to remove raunchy signage from its windowfront following a 2018 determination by the Ad Standards Community panel.

A spokesman for the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation refuted suggestions of an alternate or anti-gay agenda.

“Any decisions made by the commissioner under the Liquor Act are made in strict accordance with the relevant legislative provisions,” the OLGR spokesman said.

“Any decision made by the commissioner to cancel a liquor licence follows a show cause process where the licensee and any parties with a registered interest are afforded the opportunity to make submissions.

“Submissions are considered by the commissioner in making a decision.”

Mr Ritchardson did not respond to requests for comment.