Smethwick pub is saved from axe but gets ban on music
A pub in Smethwick has been saved from the axe by licensing chiefs – but it has been banned from playing music after residents complained about noise.
Police called for the council to strip The Moilliet Arms of its licence after logging 15 incidents involving the venue between July 2012 and February this year.
However licence bosses at Sandwell Council dismissed some of the police's claims about possible underage drinking and links to gangs at the pub. In deciding not to close it down the council's licensing panel said that the pub was serving the local community.
It did elect though to ban all music – following complaints from nearby residents about loud noise – and stop people from using the pub's outdoor area unless they were smoking.
Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) Erica Davids was stripped of her title, although licensee Roger Shields was allowed to keep his position.
The pub may yet still close in the near future as developers SS Raju and J Kang have already been given permission to transform its ground floor into three apartments. But for now it will have to operate until a restricted licence.
Panel chairman Councillor Peter Allen said: "This pub serves the local community. We found that allegations relating to a 16-year-old girl and guns and gangs were not substantiated."
The meeting earlier heard from Pc Jim Potts, a licensing officer for West Midlands Police.
He ran through 15 logs that the force had made of incidents relating to the pub, which including noise issues and a girl alleging she was 16-years-old and at the pub with her friends who were drinking.
Officers had also visited the pub as late as 3.30am and found dozens of people still there, although pub staff said this was for a private party and no alcohol was still being served.
Pc Potts said: "Due to the lack of communication and use of the premises by known gang members licensing officers became more concerned with the management at The Moilliet Arms."
