A NIGHTCLUB is to have its licence reviewed following the death of a student outside its premises.

The licence for Missoula, in Durham, will be scrutinised at a meeting next month.

It follows the death of 20-year-old Olivia Burt, a student at Durham University, who died in a crush outside the Walkergate venue in February.

Durham Police and Durham County Council are carrying out joint investigation into the the circumstances surrounding her death.

A police spokeswoman said: “This should not be taken in itself as an indication that Durham Constabulary have found fault with the operators of these premises, but rather as a step which it is hoped will promote the licensing objectives of public safety and the prevention of disorder with regard to both this particular premises and within the Walkergate complex as a whole.”

She added: “Durham Constabulary and Durham County Council are carrying out a joint investigation into the tragic death of Olivia Burt. That investigation remains ongoing and we are following a number of lines of enquiry.”

The review was welcomed by Durham MP Roberta Blackman-Woods, who called for the council to look at the wider issue of licensing policy for Durham.

She said: “I and others have raised the issue of public safety with the local authority for many years, particularly with reference to the number of establishments in the Walkergate development with late licences. While this request by the police is a welcome move to address concerns with this particular premises, it is vital that this is not dealt with as an isolated case.

“As I have pointed out to the council on a number of occasions, a blanket licensing policy for the whole county is not appropriate, and does not take into account the unique challenges of a compact city centre such as Durham.”

Craig Rudman, the council’s licensing manager, said: “We can confirm that we have received an application to review Missoula’s premises licence. We are aiming for the review to be heard by a licensing committee on Tuesday, 22 May.”