County bosses have rejected an application to reinstate a supervisor at a Seaham pub.
Police had raised concerns about ‘an increase in crime’ and possible breaches of Covid regulations at the New Westlea, in West Grove.
And after hearing evidence this week, licensing chiefs at Durham County Council ruled against proposals for the premises’s former designated premises supervisor (DPS) to be returned to the role.
“The DPS should normally be the individual in day to day control of the premises, to provide a single point of accountability within the premises should any problems arise,” said Helen Johnson, the county council’s licensing team leader.
“[Carol] Madeley has been the DPS for the New Westlea since August 2015.
“Recently, Madeley notified the licensing authority to remove herself as the DPS.
“She was experiencing problems with an individual.
“The licensing authority actioned this accordingly and a further application was received in September to reinstate Madeley as the DPS.”
Johnson was speaking at last Tuesday's meeting of the council’s Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee, which was held by videolink and broadcast via YouTube.
After hearing initial details of the application, the panel agreed to bar the public from hearing further evidence over concerns about ‘sensitive information’ expected to be revealed and ended the live online stream.
According to a redacted letter submitted to the panel by Durham Constabulary, officers have previously expressed fears the venue was ‘ not adhering to Covid regulations and there was an increase of crime and disorder’.
The committee later voted to accept the force’s recommendation the application to reinstate Madeley as DPS be refused.
