Councillors heard that Steven Blackburn, manager of the Gym Group on Glasgow Road, failed to report a previous conviction during an application to renew a public entertainment licence.
The company has been given a written warning when it was revealed that the manager had bitten a casino security guard on the shin while he was drunk.
Police said that early on a Saturday morning in June 2024, Blackburn was found intoxicated and slumped over a bar counter in Glasgow’s Grosvenor casino.
A security guard moved him on due to his “over-intoxication” – but Sergeant Grant Robertson of Police Scotland said that Blackburn made several attempts to go back inside.
Around 5.30am Blackburn headbutted a security guard while trying to enter the premises, causing no injury – after which another shoved him away to create some space.
Concerned about further assaults, the two guards proceeded to restrain the man on the ground while awaiting police attendance, with one guard kneeling next to him.
Blackburn then proceeded to bite the guard kneeling by him on the “shin and calf area”, after which the guards let him loose, later providing information to the police.
On 17 July last year, Blackburn was found guilty at Glasgow Justice of the Peace court of assault and assault to injury, was fined £400 and ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge.
A representative of the company said that Blackburn had tried to check whether he needed to declare the conviction on the application using an online calculator.
He added: “As we now understand, the calculator was not accurate and indicated that Stephen’s conviction was spent, and he did not need to disclose it.
“This was not an attempt to conceal the conviction, it was a genuine error on Steven’s part.”
He also said the company’s internal health and safety officer had deemed that Blackburn was not a risk to other staff and customers, and could continue running the branch of the gym business.
Blackburn has worked for the firm for the last 14 years, and has managed the gym for 20 months.
The representative continued: “We’re comfortable that he remains up at the site, assuming the conditions of our public entertainment licence allow.
He added Blackburn’s conviction will be spent in July this year, and the company could move him to a different branch if needed.
Cllr Joanna Mowat said: “We have a situation where we have an item that wasn’t declared.
“The explanation being that the checker that was used proves some sort of intent that it should be declared, but it gave inaccurate information.
“We have a fairly serious incident. And the conviction will only remain visible to July this year. Can I take any views on this matter?”
She noted that the employer addressed the situation with its own health and safety policies, and was still happy to have him take on the day-to-day role of running the gym.
Cllr Jack Caldwell responded: “In terms of our licensing objectives and public safety, I don’t see Mr Blackburn as a threat to public safety.
“Therefore I would agree with granting this licence.”
Cllr Neil Ross agreed with his Lib Dem colleague, Cllr Caldwell, and suggested that a written warning be added to the gym’s public entertainment licence renewal.
Councillors also discussed adding a set of licence conditions to the gym at time of renewal, recommended by the council’s public safety team.
These included requirements for improved safety and security measures for periods of time when the 24-hour gym was unstaffed.
However, after listening to the opinions of officers, councillors elected not to add the extra conditions.
Councillors agreed the renewal of the gym’s public entertainment licence with a written warning attached.
By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter
