A Brighton pub could lose its drinks licence – and effectively be forced to close – after a brawl on Friday night (25 September).
The King’s Arms, in George Street, Brighton, faces a summary review after Sussex Police made a formal application to Brighton and Hove City Council.
Two men are due in court in December on charges of assaulting a police officer after what police said was “a fight involving a number of people”.
A notice posted at the pub by the council said: “We have received an application for a summary review from Sussex Police.
“The grounds for the review are that, in the opinion of a senior police officer, the premises is associated with serious crime and disorder.”
No date for the review has been published.
In a statement after the arrests, Sussex Police said: “Police responded to a report of a fight involving a number of people in George Street, Brighton, shortly before 11pm on Friday 25 September.
“One man sustained an arm injury and was taken to hospital for treatment.
“A 21-year-old man, from Brighton, was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and later released on bail.
“Wesley Douglas, 55, of Ashton Rise, Brighton, and Oliver Rowsell, 21, of Bowring Way, Brighton, were each arrested and charged with assaulting a police officer.
“They are due to appear before Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Friday 18 December.
“A police investigation is under way and anyone who saw what happened or captured any relevant footage is asked to report it online or call 101, quoting serial 1804 of 25/09.”
“The premises is (sic) associated with serious crime and disorder.”
Isn’t that justification for closing most police stations in Sussex? lol
Seriously, this bar has been operating for many years without much trouble. This appears to be an isolated incident involving animus between two families. If the police ACTIVELY patrolled the district, then the crime rates around St James’s Street would be lower. People do not deserve to lose their livelihood nor customers their loal pub because of a single fight.
There’s more crime on the seafront at night. Likewise they don’t patrol there either.
Unless the police can substantiate their argument with evidence and proof, the allegations against the pub should be dismissed out of hand. It is not sufficient to prosper argument, even if a claim is genuine, unless significant and clean evidence can be shown to support said claim. One would hope the Council will not pull knee jerk ‘Trustpilot’ reaction to proceed with action against the pub without such evidence and not before a full review hearing as specified in the 2003 Act. On the other hand, if the place is as bad as the police allege re drugs etc etc, why have they not acted on it before?
The article does say there will be a review hearing where 3 councillors will make the decision – as per the act.
The police (and council licensing officers) will present their case.
The venue owners / management will be able to present their case.
When the hearing is scheduled you’ll be able to read the submissions on the councils website.
Why can’t the Police authorise closures without going through the Council ?? the Council doesn’t deal with night life street and pub issues. Police, NHS and a few others do but never the Council in the middle of it.
Because if they did Brighton wouldn’t have a single pub open and you wouldn’t be allowed to leave the house after dark. It’s called checks and balances, as we don’t live in china we have something that’s called democracy…
The Council closes at 5pm, Police and the NHS operate 24/7, the decisions about closures should come from the people dealing with the issues not the office whose only job is to issue a permit. Try reading something other than US propaganda, even better, travel there.
Because the 2003 Licensing Act gives control over licensing decisions to local councils rather than the police.
That’s why
Licensing decisions are about premises and permits, I’m pretty sure bar brawls and ms-demeanours are a Policing issue, as said, the Council don’t operate in the middle of night time street crime, they close at 5pm the Police and NHS deal with the rest of it.
Such a shame, as this pub was well run & served both young & old in the community. Management very popular, all ages welcome & everyone well looked after. Hoping for the best outcome 🙏