Covid breaches cost landlord his pub licence
REPEATED BREACHES FORCE SHARP ACTION
A LANDLORD has lost his licence after repeated warnings over breaking the Covid-19 rules.
In a first for Nottinghamshire, the Queens Head in Kimberley was served with a temporary banning order two months ago over failing to obey the restrictions.
Since then police have worked with district licensing officers after looking into previous crime and disorder involving the pub.
They included two police officers being assaulted during one disturbance and a man suffering a fractured cheek and eye socket in an assault in the beer garden.
Further reports have also been investigated of bottles and glasses being thrown and used as weapons by customers involved in a large fight outside the Main Street pub.
The issues came to a head in September when Nottinghamshire County Council, working with Broxtowe Borough Council and the police, took action to close the pub down following breaches of Covid-19 rules, including refusing to follow track-and-trace procedures and allowing social distancing breaches – despite the landlord being given repeated previous warnings.
Now, following a meeting of Broxtowe’s alcohol and entertainments licensing committee, the pub’s premises licence has been revoked.
A number of the reported incidents at the pub have taken place since August, mainly at weekends, police added.
Incidents reported to police included assaults as well as antisocial behaviour from customers entering and leaving the pub.
Complaints were also received about noise and underage drinking.
Inspector Simon Riley, of Nottinghamshire Police, added: “Despite repeated warnings, visits and continued support and guidance given by authorities, the Queens Head’s premises licence holder took little notice and refused to put measures in place to assist in reducing and stopping crime and disorder at the pub.
“This disregard to operate the premises in a safe and responsible manner included persistent noncompliance with Covid-19 legislation by failing to ensure that guests were social distancing and to enforce the track-and-trace system.
“We strive to work in partnership with our licensed premises and we support wellmanaged and safe establishments to thrive but all businesses have a responsibility
– not only to their staff and customers but to the wider community.
“We will not tolerate behaviour which endangers the
public and has a significant negative impact on local residents’ quality of life.
“We will continue to take action against licence holders who think they can act outside of the rules and show no regard for following licensing objectives and operating their premises in a safe and responsible manner.” The action is subject to a 21-day appeal period and Councillor David Bagshaw, chairman of the alcohol and entertainments licensing committee, said: “Our officers, working together with partners, are always willing to advise and provide guidance to businesses to make sure they are following the rules and the law and it is incredibly frustrating when they refuse to co-operate. “It has been a tough time for businesses over the last few months but that is no excuse for disregarding the health and safety of customers, staff and the emergency services.
“We want Broxtowe to be a place where everyone feels safe and we won’t tolerate businesses or individuals who stand in the way of this.
“I would like to put on record my thanks to those involved in this case and ensuring that local people are kept safe and protected.”
It is incredibly frustrating when businesses refuse to co-operate Inspector Simon Riley