Hednesford bar's licence revoked after drinkers caught inside at start of lockdown
A Hednesford bar's licence has been revoked after police caught drinkers inside three days after the owner had been given a warning letter during the height of the coronavirus lockdown.
Police entered the Hen House Sports and Music Bar on Market Street on March 28 and found a number of people inside who had been drinking.
The owner of the premises had already been given a warning letter on March 25 from Cannock Chase Council’s licensing unit.
The police reported the matter to the council and they served a prohibition notice on April 1 requiring immediate closure of the premises.
As a result of wider investigation, Staffordshire Police requested the council review the premises licence on the basis that the owner failed to ensure the licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder and ensuring public safety were promoted.
On July 31, the council’s licensing sub committee revoked the Hen House Sports and Music Bar Premises Licence.
Councillor Christine Martin, leader of health and wellbeing for the authority, said: “Sadly, there have been instances of some pubs flouting the regulations since March. The council will not hesitate to clamp down on offenders and work with the police on enforcement. The regulations are there for a very important reason.
“Allowing the premises to be open to the public, albeit behind closed doors, and allowing people to attend and consume alcohol on the site, facilitated a gathering of people – not from the same household – in one place and put themselves, the police and the wider public at risk.
“We believe the only effective way of protecting the public from harm is the revocation of the Hen House Sports and Music Bar premises licence."
Pubs and other premises such as restaurants, cinemas, theatres, bingo halls were closed by the government on March 21.
