Pub’s licence appeal could take months

A HIGH COURT appeal for a pub stripped of its licence for opening during lockdown could take months to be heard.

Billingham’s Porky Pint saw its ability to sell alcohol taken away by Stockton Council’s licensing committee in 2021. An appeal at Teesside Magistrates Court also failed earlier this year but owner Paul Henderson vowed to fight on at the High Court.

Papers released last month revealed efforts that urged the case not be heard in Leeds over cost concerns.

But Mr Justice Fordham found the case should be held in Leeds but would “look into the possibility” it could be held on Teesside.

Battles over the Mill Lane pub have rumbled on since the covid lockdowns of late 2020. The pub repeatedly opened its doors to punters during covid restrictions.

It announced its intention to open up two days before a January 30 gathering – where council officials and police spotted customers having drinks inside.

A licensing hearing was subsequently told how Mr Henderson had deliberately broken the law out of his own personal beliefs.

The licensing panel found he’d committed “extremely serious” breaches given the thousands of lives lost in the pandemic.

During appeal hearings this year, Teesside Magistrates’ Court heard a wedding event was hosted at the Porky Pint in late 2020 with around 30 people attending during tier two restrictions.

A visit in November 2020 also saw a licensing officer offered a pint indoors with others drinking in the pub. Mr Henderson vowed to fight on through the High Court following the lower court verdict in favour of Stockton Council.

Asked if they wanted the case transferred to Leeds, the judge’s report showed Mr Henderson’s representatives said they wouldn’t due to travel costs for his Essexbased

solicitors – which were estimated at around £5,000.

Council representatives backed the hearing being held in Leeds.

The judge found the case could “properly be dealt with from Leeds”.

But he also said he’d look into any possibility that a hearing might take place on Teesside.”

Mr Henderson confirmed they hadn’t received confirmation of another date yet. He added they could be told at “short notice”.

They were told the hearing would be “fixed shortly” but his solicitors expect it could be several months away given wider pressures on the judicial system.