Chorley pub to have licence reviewed due to police concerns over 'serious crime'

A notice fixed to the entrance to the Bretherton Arms in Eaves Lane says police have applied to Chorley Council for a review of the pub's licence.

It says that the grounds for review are that, "in the opinion of a senior police officer, the premises is associated with serious crime."

Lancashire Police has been approached for further details about its concerns and its allegation of 'serious crime' at the pub.

Jonathan Noad, Chorley Council’s director of planning said: "Chorley Council has received an application for summary review of a premises licence relating to the Bretherton Arms, 252 Eaves Lane, Chorley.

"Such an application can only be made where the premises is associated with serious crime or serious nuisance.

"The application will be determined in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003."

The Bretherton Arms has been approached for comment.

What happens next?

Chorley Council said its licensing department will review the application by May 17, but a date for the sub-committee to discuss it has yet to be set.

It said there is a range of options available to the sub-committee to deal with the police complaint, including the power to revoke the pub's licence altogether.

Other measures include:

• Modifying the conditions of the premises licence

• Exclude a licensable activity from the scope of the licence

• Remove the designated premises supervisor from the licence

• Suspend the licence for a period not exceeding three months

• Revoke the licence completely

It is the second time in six months that Lancashire Police has sought a review of the pub's licence.

In October last year, the force applied for a review after customers were attacked by a group of men armed with a police-style baton.

Four pub-goers were violently attacked in the beer garden, leaving three needing hospital treatment.

One victim suffered a fractured eye socket and a ruptured eyeball and needed surgery to save his vision. Another had been knocked unconscious and suffered serious head wounds.

The pub had its licence temporarily suspended before it was restored following further review and a change in management.