Lounge 107: Wolves matchday pub can open after licence review
The former Goal Post pub had its licence suspended after an array of weapons and £100,000 worth of class A drugs were found inside
A popular Wolves matchday pub which had its licence suspended after an array of weapons and £100,000 worth of class A drugs were found there will remain open – but has been ordered to tighten security.
Bosses at Lounge 107 on Waterloo Road, opposite the Molineux, will now have to ensure door staff are monitoring who enters the venue on the weekends and when Wolves are playing at home.
A meeting of Wolverhampton Council’s licence committee heard how going forward a £250,000 investment was planned for the pub, formerly the Goal Post, should a new operator come forward.
The suspension of the licence came last month as a firearms warrant was issued on the pub – with a search of the premises revealing £100,000 of class A drugs, two firearms, ammunition, canisters or laughing gas, pills, lock knives, an extendible baton, a cannabis grinder, combat weapons, a knuckle duster, a taser disguised as a torch and a zombie knife.
The pub could now reopen in time for the new football season with a temporary operator.
Speaking at the meeting, Sergeant Reynolds, of West Midlands Police, said: “I think Punch Taverns have been transparent and genuine from the off in respect of the incidents that happened at the premises.
"They appear to be keen, on face value, to turn the pub around.”
Addressing the meeting Councillor Wendy Thompson said: “I honestly do not think that it is ever easy to run a pub.
"This takes particular qualities. At the moment there appears to be a certain culture that seems to have really embedded itself within the pub as it was operating.
“It is very important that culture is completely broken.”
Following deliberation’s it was ordered that the suspension of Lounge 107’s licence be lifted subject to a minimum of two registered SIA door staff being present on the premises between Friday and Sunday from 9pm until all customers have left.
The committee said door staff are to be present two hours before and two hours after all Wolves home games.
Chairman of the committee, councillor Alan Bolshaw, said: “This venue will continue to be under the scrutiny of several parties, including local residents and match-goers who I suspect will also welcome a better, safer, family-friendly venue.”
