IN September 2016, Thurrock Council’s licensing sub-committee revoked the licence of Chafford Hundred bar The Lounge Bar.
This month, magistrates in Basildon overturned that decision and upheld the new licensee’s appeal.
Cllr Ben Maney, who chaired the sub-committee meeting, said this week: “In September the new licensee had not been able to demonstrate the bar was able to comply with the licence conditions and we had little option but to follow police advice.
“The magistrates heard that over the four months since our meeting the bar had complied and felt it was now possible to allow the bar to trade – though they insisted on a wide range of further conditions.
“Last year I stated: ‘Working with the police and other enforcement agencies, the council will ensure that businesses engaged in licensable activities, including the sale of alcohol, comply with their obligations’ and I still stand by that.”
He added: “The fact the magistrates insisted the Designated Premises Supervisor be removed from the Premises Licence forthwith, and instructed the new licensee to pay the council’s costs – £3,521 – within 14 days, highlights the fact they understood why the sub-committee had made its decision and that the situation had changed since then.”
Among other changes to the licence imposed by the magistrates were: that a minimum of two registered door staff be deployed every Friday and Saturday evening; that a search policy be agreed with the council before the start of licensable activities; and that the license holder agrees a drugs policy with the council.
