A notorious nightclub in West Lothian was forced to give up its licence 20 years ago after a 150-strong crowd fought against police officers.
Back in 2003, over 30 police officers attended the Oasis Club, also known as Club Class Disco and Sloppy Joes after a fight broke out within the premises.
June 29 was the annual Gala-day event in Whitburn, where school children took part in a parade and crowning ceremony, with parties and house decorating taking place all week across the town.
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Most people would look back fondly on Gala Days, as times for kids to dress up as princesses, queens and knights, with one lucky primary school child is crowned the Gala-day Queen for that year.
However, a group of club-goers had other plans that evening, as over 150 people packed into The Oasis nightclub on West Main Street in Whitburn.
At approximately 1am, police were called to the scene to break up the fight, but were forced to withdraw due to the violence.
According to a local community Facebook post, support from Edinburgh, Strathclyde and Midlothian were required to come in and handle the riot - equalling to over 30 police officers, armed with CS spray and batons.
According to a police report, three officers were injured in the fighting, which involved the majority of the 150 clubbers in the premises, and three people were arrested.
Officers also reported that bar staff continued to serve drinks to patrons as the fight raged on, leading to glasses being thrown at assailants.
Reports also noted that staff, including the managers, bar staff and doormen, had been drinking.
One man, who was alleged to have been drinking, refused to leave the club as he claimed he was the only one who could lock up the premises.
A police spokesperson at the time said: "The licensing board have obviously considered all the facts regarding these premises and decided not to renew the licence."
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Also at the time, a spokesperson for West Lothian Licensing Board added: "The board has unanimously refused to renew the entertainment licence for these premises. The decision was taken after consideration of a police report."
Club owner Alberto Franchitti had owned the club since 1985, and had already been through a police raid in the form of a drugs bust in 1998.
According to TheFreeLibrary's website, undercover police forced the club to close after a drugs raid that turned up class A substance and a range of deadly weapons.
Police seized a 50,000-volt stun gun, a CS gas spray canister, a spring- loaded extending metal baton and two pick-axe handles.
They also found cocaine, Ecstasy, amphetamines and cannabis in the club. Stuffed down a settee was a giant, nine-ounce bar of cannabis which alone was worth £1,250 at the time - £2,814 in today's valuations.
Chief Inspector Gerry Neish said: "At the very least there has been a very serious lack of control exercised by the licensee."
At the time, licensee Derek Ross, of Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, was ruled unfit to hold a liquor licence and the club's own licence was suspended for 12 months.
And in 2023, 20 years on from the riot, the Oasis nightclub is no more - but many will have better memories of nights-out in the town of Whitburn.
Did you ever visit any nightclubs in West Lothian? Let us know in the comments below.
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