News brief

Club Swans closes its doors

The Club Swans, Kings Cross, formerly the Aussie Rules Club, has closed its doors without prior notification to members.

A notice on the club’s website blamed the closure on difficult trading conditions since a shutdown in February 2010 which caused the club to close for a three month period.

“This club was part of the social history and fabric of the area for decades. It lost money after overspending on a refurbishment and increasing meal prices, forcing former members away.The club never owned the premises. Claims it has closed because of recent damage due to a flood don’t have credibilty,” Andrew Woodhouse, President of the Potts Point and King Cross Heritage Conservation Society said.

“It paid rent to the owner of the former Bourbon and Beefsteak premises adjacent. The B & B was recently sold and the two properties have now been jointly owned.

Police investigate “glassing” – Surry Hills

Police from Surry Hills Local Area Command are continuing with their investigations following an alleged glassing in Surry Hills early Sunday morning.

At about 2.30am May 22, two men became involved in a verbal altercation while at a hotel on Taylor Square.

It is alleged one of the men pushed a glass he was holding into the face of the other man causing a cut to his temple.

Police were called to the location and a crime scene was established.

A 36-year-old man was taken by Ambulance Paramedics to Prince of Wales Hospital for treatment of facial injuries.

A 26-year-old man who suffered cuts to his hand was taken by Ambulance Paramedics to Sydney Eye and Hand Hospital.

Police raid a Kings Cross club and arrest two employees for alleged cocaine supply

Police have executed a late-night raid on a club in Kings Cross, arresting two employees for allegedly supplying cocaine.

At 10.40pm on May 20, almost 50 Kings Cross and PORS officers executed a warrant at the club in Darlinghurst Road and arrested two men – a 35-year-old from Coogee and a 30-year-old from St Clair.

There were an estimated 50 patrons inside the club at the time of the drug operation, but all were escorted from the premises without incident.

The 35-year-old man was refused bail and will appear before Parramatta Bail Court later today to face five charges relating to the supply of a prohibited drug.

The 30-year old man was charged with supply prohibited drug and granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on 10 June 2011.

Kings Cross Commander Acting Superintendent Darren Schott said that as a result of the operation, police had obtained an urgent closure order.

“The effect of the order is that the club must shut its doors and remain closed for a period of up to 72 hours,” A/Supt. Schott said.

He said information from the community ultimately led to the drug raid.

“Three weeks ago police received information concerning employees of the club allegedly supplying cocaine,” A/Supt. Schott said.

“A covert investigation was launched that resulted in these arrests.”

“The majority of people in the community – like police – want to see the drug trade eradicated.

“Community assistance is invaluable in these sorts of investigations and I can assure the public that we will act swiftly to bring to justice those engaged in distributing illicit drugs.”

A/Supt Schott said Kings Cross police would continue to target drug supply in the local area command.