Boars Head pub in Blackpool learns fate after licencing decision following England World Cup match stabbing
The police asked for Blackpool Council’s Licensing Panel to review the licence and consider all options, up to and including the licence being revoked.
A Blackpool pub has avoided losing its premises licence after bosses accepted tough new conditions following a stabbing incident in the summer.
Police had called for an urgent review of the Boars Head’s licence after the knife disturbance occurred just after midnight on July 16, following a live screening of the tense World Cup match between England and Argentina a little earlier in the night.
The stab victim was taken to hospital where his condition was described at the time as being serious but not life-threatening, and an arrest was made.
Officers said the stabbing, which occurred outside the Preston Old Road pub after an initial disturbance inside, was not an isolated incident and there appeared to be an issue with trouble during times when England matches were screened there.
Police said the situation was still more serious because, at the time of the incident, several 16 and 17-year-olds were in the venue and witnessed the fight. The police asked for Blackpool Council’s Licensing Panel to review the licence at its meeting last week and consider all options, up to and including the licence being revoked.
The police view
Reported minutes of the meeting, released yesterday, stated: “Sergeant Nat Cox, of Lancashire Constabulary, attended the meeting and highlighted to councillors the serious nature of the fight and concerns that this had followed an earlier incident on July 12 following the World Cup quarter final (against Norway).
“There had been an issue with the CCTV on the premises where the quality had hampered investigations into possible crimes. Sergeant Cox highlighted the improvements since the review had been submitted and noted that the Designated Premises Supervisor had been replaced which had been one of the key issues and a number of conditions had been agreed.”
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What the pub firm says
Mr Tony Lyons, Licensing Consultant, presented the case on behalf of the Licence Holder, Dorbriere Limited, and expressed regret at the incidents that had occurred, emphasising the proactive steps that the Licence Holder had already taken to address the issues.
These included the removal of the previous Designated Premises Supervisor and their replacement by Mr Adam Bourne, an experienced Designated Premises Supervisor from within the group.
Mr Lyons added that the Licence Holder had hired a new security firm and had installed an upgraded CCTV system. It was confirmed that the Licence Holder accepted the proposed conditions.
The report said: “The Licensing Panel considered carefully the evidence submitted by all parties, the Secretary of State’s guidance and the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy. The Panel gave consideration to revoking or suspending the licence but considered that the additional conditions would allow the premises to avoid the same problems in the future.”
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What are the conditions?
1. A dispersal policy to be produced by the licence holder and DPS.
2. At all times there will be a suitable number of SIA registered door supervisors on duty subject to a risk assessment by the licence holder and DPS. This risk assessment will be available for inspection on request by the Police or an authorised person.
3. On any occasion where England are playing in an international tournament, there will be a minimum of 2 SIA registered door supervisors on duty at the venue.
4. Whenever door supervisors are on duty, a search regime will exist at the premises with random searches conducted on customers as they enter the premises. Anyone found in possession of drugs or weapons will be barred from the premises and reported via the local pubwatch scheme.
5. A clearly visible sign warning customers that they may be searched on entry or while in the premises will be on display at every point of entry or exit.
6. CCTV shall be installed internally and externally at the premises. It shall be maintained and operated to the reasonable satisfaction of Lancashire Constabulary.
7. A staff member who is conversant with the operation of the CCTV system will be on the premises at all times the premises are open to the public.
8. A Challenge 25 proof of age policy shall be implemented and adhered to. Any person who looks or appears to be under the age of 25 shall be asked to provide identification that they are over the age of 18.
9. No children (under 18) will be permitted on the premises after 2100 hours each night.
10. The use of glassware will be subject to a risk assessment by the licence holder and DPS. This risk assessment will be available for inspection on request by the Police or an authorised person.
11. On any occasion where England are playing in an international tournament, there will be no glassware used at the venue including glass bottles. This will be the case for 2 hours before England play, during the match and until the premises is closed to the public.