Edge Marina View shut, loses license

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 13 December 2018, 12:00AM

Popular night club Edge Marina View has been shutdown after the Liquor Board stripped it of its liquor and beverage license.

Minister for Revenue and Liquor Board chairman, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt, told the Samoa Observer that the decision of the Board has been conveyed to the club’s owners. 

He said the closure does not apply to the restaurant within the same premises. 

“The restaurant remains open, but not the night club inside the compound have been shut down permanently and the owners have been informed of the decision during our meeting on Wednesday,” he said.

When he was asked if the club’s owners will challenge the  decision, he said: “We discussed this yesterday and they have agreed (to the closure).”

Repeated efforts by the Samoa Observer to get in contact with the club’s owners, Darryl and Savili Maiava, have been unsuccessful as of press time.

An incident at the club on the waterfront two weeks ago—which led to the death of 24-year-old Jeremiah Malaki Tauili’i—was the last straw for the Board, as Tialavea said there were public complaints in the past against the club.

“The Board felt this was the right move, due to the result of what has happened and the loss of life is something that is not taken lightly,” he said.

The Minister also warned that the Board will not hesitate to take action against other night clubs that failed to protect their patrons. 

“May I remind the night club owners that once the customers enter their premises: they are responsible for that person; and if there is an incident, the security should call the Police for assistance. 

“There are many incidents that are surfacing right now, implicating the securities and so this affords us the opportunity to remind the owners of their responsibility. 

“At the end of the day, those people work for you and their actions will have an impact on your business, and it may be subject to liability. We will not hesitate to revoke liquor licenses if the owners are irresponsible. 

Night clubs should also hire competent security personnel, added Tialavea, who can protect company assets, their customers and staff. 

“However, what we have seen so far is that owners are hiring people with no experience and so when an incident occurs, the security gets into a fight instead of protecting the customers.”

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 13 December 2018, 12:00AM

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