News / Crews Hole
Pub landlord appeals to overturn decision to revoke licence
A pub that had its licence revoked for causing neighbours “absolute sheer terror and horror” and breaching Covid rules has launched an appeal to overturn the decision.
Bristol City Council’s licensing sub-committee ruled in August that The Bull Inn in Crew’s Hole should be shut down, following a request by the local authority’s neighbourhood enforcement team backed by the police.
Beat officers at Avon and Somerset Police told the hearing that they spent a disproportionate amount of time at the premises dealing with disorder, nuisance, loud music, alleged threats to cut throats and reports of mass brawls, with some residents reportedly moving away from the area because of the problems.
is needed now More than ever
Eastville ward city councillor Lorraine Francis, who lives near the pub, told last month’s hearing: “My next-door neighbour has moved out as a direct result of the impact of the pub.
“There has been an escalation in antisocial behaviour and noise. It’s not a case of disgruntled neighbours opposing a pub, it’s the absolute sheer terror and horror being experienced by residents because of the pub.”
But regulars submitted a petition at the City Hall meeting and told the panel the “much-loved community pub” should be saved, despite the council issuing two fines of £1,000 and £2,000 for repeated Covid breaches since lockdown eased in April, neither of which had been paid at the time of the hearing.
Managers of The Bull Inn are appealing the decision to revoke its licence
The Bull’s managers, who insisted they had been the victim of malicious and fabricated reports to police of dozens of people fighting, have now appealed against the decision.
Councillors revoked the licence on the grounds that the licensing objectives of public safety and the prevention of crime and disorder and public nuisance were being undermined.
The appeal hearing is set to be heard by Bristol magistrates on a date to be set in October.
Adam Postans is a local democracy reporter for Bristol
All photos by Ellie Pipe
Read more: Pub has licence revoked following complaints from police and residents
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
