gambling machines when it tried to get its liquor license renewed in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The Palace, formerly Studio 55, which is owned and operated by Thomas Kiernan, may fail to comply with the requirements needed to operate a nightclub facility, namely that the dance floor must be able to accommodate at least fifty people.

Police visited the club and said there was not enough space to comply with these rules as there were some seventeen new gaming machines in the bar and dance floor area which left less room for patrons.

Mr. Kiernan's lawyer, Peter Farge, said one of the machines had been removed and there was sufficient space for fifty people.

He invited the liquor licensing panel to go to the club.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner said it was up to Mr. Farge to prove that there was sufficient space in the club rather than the panel going to have a look at the facility. But he ruled the panel would go and inspect the club before a decision was made and adjourned the case.

NIGHTCLUB EAT COURTS CTS