Raunds pub licence suspended for a month

Members of a licensing panel were unanimous in their decision to suspend a pub's licence for a month.
The George and Dragon pub in RaundsThe George and Dragon pub in Raunds
The George and Dragon pub in Raunds

East Northants Council’s licensing (liquor and gambling) panel held a review of the licence of the George and Dragon pub in Raunds on November 28.

It followed concerns raised by the council’s licensing enforcement officer, including the pub failing to promote the licensing objective of preventing crime and disorder.

Northants Police also supported the review.

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Minutes of the review hearing have now been published by East Northants Council, with the licensing panel deciding unanimously that it is appropriate and proportionate that:

- The Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) be removed

- The premises licence be suspended for a period of one month
- Any DPS for the George and Dragon must not be a DPS on any other premises licence

The report stated its reasons for the decision, and it said: “The panel were of the view that on a balance of probability a member of staff had been in contact with cannabis and that the panel gave greater weight to the content

of Rita Groves, the licensing enforcement officer statement which was supported by the opinion of PC Congreve within that statement.

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“There is a lack of leadership/understanding of obligations by the DPS within the premises which is not promoting the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder.

“Further, the lack of obligation appears to extend from the premises licence holder throughout the management of the premises and the premises licence holder appears to be devoid of any understanding in his responsibilities in

that capacity.

“The suspension of the premises licence is appropriate and proportionate because the premises licence holder knew what the new conditions added to the licence on the 2 September 2016 were.

“However, the premises licence holder did not adhere to the conditions and was, therefore, operating the premises otherwise than under and in accordance with an authorisation.

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“This is the second review of the premises licence within the calendar year.

“The panel were of the view that the premises licence holder appears to abrogate all responsibility for management and expects to be prompted for his responsibilities by third parties.”

A decision notice will be sent out in writing and if any party is ‘aggrieved’ with the panel’s decision, they have the right of appeal to the magistrates court.

That must be done within 21 days of the date of receipt of the decision notice.

To read the report in full, click here