Pub stripped of licence amid fears over crime
A LEICESTER bar has been stripped of its licence over concerns about serious crime and disorder raised by the police.
Officers asked Leicester City Council to review the position of Shakespeare’s House following investigations they have been carrying out.
The council’s licensing committee met to discuss the matter, in a private session because of ongoing police inquiries.
The police applied for the licence review after they raided the property, in Southgates, last month, and recovered drugs.
After the virtual meeting, the city council published the decision and the reasons for them.
The council said: “This was a summary review rather than a normal review, which is a shorter process and allows the licensing authority to impose interim steps within 48 hours of the (police) application being made.
“At that time, the licence was suspended and the designated premises supervisor was removed.
“The full hearing took place in private on July 2, after which members decided to revoke the premises licence for Shakespeare’s House and also to remove the designated premises supervisor (who was also the premises licence holder).
“The summary review application was made by the police and an environmental health officer from the food safety team also provided evidence.”
Explaining the decision, the city council said: “The sub-committee members accepted the evidence as presented by the police and the environmental health officer and were satisfied the premises was associated with serious crime and disorder and failed to comply with Food Safety regulations and Health and Safety regulations.
“Having carefully evaluated all the information and evidence before them, the sub-committee accepted the submissions made by the police that the premises licence holder was unable to promote or uphold the licensing objectives.
“Members believed the premises’ licence holder had shown poor management skills and had no confidence in his ability to uphold the licensing objectives, nor did they have confidence in his ability to trade responsibly, legally and comply with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.
“As stated, members’ decision was therefore to remove the designated premises supervisor from the licence and revoke the premises’ licence.”
Shakespeare’s House, like other Leicester pubs, is closed due to the local lockdown.
In normal circumstances, it could appeal against the committee’s decision and remain open until magistrates heard that appeal.
However, the committee took the unusual step of decreeing that the venue could not reopen in the interim period before an appeal.
The council said: “The subcommittee’s decision was made in the interests of promoting the licensing objectives, particularly the prevention of crime and disorder.”
The Mercury has contacted Shakespeare’s House for comment.