St Helens bar where Saints star attacked has licence suspended again

A town centre nightspot has had its licence suspended for one month by St Helens Council’s Licensing Sub Committee.

The sub committee met on Wednesday 11 April 2011 to review the licence for the Imperial Bar in Ormskirk Street, St Helens. It followed an application from Merseyside Police on the basis that the premises had been associated with serious violent crime and disorder.

Both licence holder Ian Pitts and the police attended the four hour hearing to give evidence. The sub committee was also asked to consider a large number of letters in support of the bar and Mr Pitts.

Both parties have 21 days to appeal against the decision before the suspension is activated. In the meantime the premises may re-open for business –subject to certain conditions (below) - following their closure after the original review on 16 March.

As well as suspending the Imperial’s licence for one month, the sub committee has instructed the bar to remove its designated premises supervisor from the licence. The bar’s licence conditions have also been modified to ensure:

· No glassware is taken outside the areas where licensable activities

take place - ie the stairwells.

· The existing door security company is replaced before the premises

reopen.

· The new designated premises supervisor meets with the door staff

weekly regarding management of the premises and keeps detailed

records of the meetings.

· A door supervisor is located at the top of the stairs and at the

entrance to the bar at all times when the premises are trading after

11pm.

· An action plan is agreed in consultation with Merseyside Police and

is in place when the premise reopen.

· Monthly meetings between the designated premises supervisor and

Merseyside Police Licensing Unit are held for the next three months.

Legislation and Home Office guidance mean any action taken by the sub committee has to be directed at the causes of any concerns