Pub bosses have vowed to fight to keep a controversial Gateshead boozer open just weeks after it was stripped of its premises licence.
The Blue Bell pub had its premises licence removed last month, after Northumbria Police demanded a review following a string of allegations which raised concerns about its management.
This came some eight months after Trading Standards Officers seized 220 dodgy Superkings and Richmond cigarettes and three pouches of tobacco at the Felling pub following a tip-off.
Manager Julie Simpson insisted they were for her own "personal use".
Now, bosses at Admiral Taverns, the firm which owns the Victoria Square venue, say they are appealing the decision and say the premises remains open for the foreseeable future.
"We can confirm that we are appealing the decision at the Blue Bell, said a spokesperson.
"The pub is currently open and trading pending a decision and as always, we're working with the authorities towards finding a resolution that is satisfactory to all parties."
Concerns were raised after an alleged unprovoked assault at the premises late September last year caused a customer to lose five teeth, and police claimed that staff at the pub didn't call them, instead leaving it to an anonymous member of the public.
The part of the pub the alleged attack happened in wasn't covered by CCTV and the victim, fearing reprisals, refused to give a statement.
There was also allegations that a woman was punched to the ground inside the pub, and that paramedics had to be called out to attend to another woman who had blood all over her face.
However, the alleged incidents couldn't be investigated "due to a lack of evidence such as CCTV" and "cultural fear of repercussions".
A report to Gateshead Council said that Northumbria Police raised fears the venue was failing to meet its objectives.
