Police call for West Bromwich pub’s licence to be removed after bouncer knocks woman unconscious

West Midlands Police has called for the Fox and Goose in Greets Green Road, West Bromwich, to have its licence revoked over the incident – which comes just a year after the venue was forced to close following another “brutal” attack.

West Midlands Police said officers found the woman unconscious and being attended to outside the venue by paramedics at around 1.35am on January 11.

In its call for the licence to be reviewed by Sandwell Council, police said they were investigating an offence of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH) and a further offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) on a different person.

Officers said the pub’s staff were “evasive” and “gave conflicting information” when questioned about the incident.

In its application to review the licence, the force said: “Officers attended the scene and dealt with a female victim who was knocked unconscious outside of the premises and was being treated by paramedics at the scene.

“As part of the initial investigation by officers at the scene and from viewing the CCTV footage onsite, the offender is identified as a member of door staff at the venue. It is also confirmed that the victim had been a customer of the venue.”

The licence was suspended by Sandwell Council on January 16 pending a full hearing. The licensing committee will meet on Friday (February 7) to make a decision.

The owners will also be forced to explain the use of two unauthorised gambling machines at the pub, which were spotted on the police bodycam footage.

The Fox and Goose had its licence reviewed in March last year after West Midlands Police raised “serious concerns” following a “brutal” assault at the bar and grill in 2023. The attack saw a man hit in the face with a glass and left with extensive scarring and some loss of vision.

The pub had its licence temporarily suspended but it was later returned by Sandwell Council after having its opening hours shortened.

The premises licence holder is listed as Tina Bali with Gurdeep Bali registered as the designated premises supervisor since June 2023.

Mr and Mrs Bali told the licensing hearing in March last year they were “recalibrating” the business and wanted earlier opening hours to serve breakfast with food becoming the mainstay for the pub.

West Midlands Police said it had agreed ‘a way forward’ with the pub owners to allow earlier opening hours while bringing closing time forward an hour – with the stipulation that alcohol could not be served during the newer, earlier opening hours.

The pub’s licence, which was changed following the hearing a year ago, allows opening hours from 9am to 11.30pm between Monday and Thursday, 9am to 1.30am on Friday and Saturday and 9am to 11.30pm on Sundays.

But alcohol could only be served between 11am and 11pm from Monday to Thursday, 10am to 1am on Friday and Saturday and 10am to 11pm on Sundays.

The previous opening hours were 4pm to 10.45pm every day with the old licence permitting the pub to sell alcohol until 11.30pm between Monday and Wednesday, 12.30am every Thursday, 2.30am on Friday and Saturday and 11pm on Sunday.