Bar's licence revoked following crime and disorder

Northumbria Police applied to review the bar's licence after three incidents in January

A city centre bar has had its licence revoked due to crime and disorder.

Northumbria Police had applied for Sunderland City Council to review the premises licence of Cleo's Bar in Park Lane.

Legal representatives on behalf of the force said the action was being taken after three incidents in January, which included a man being hit with a bat by staff.

A solicitor on behalf of the premises licence holder, Kenneth Craigs, admitted there had been a "failure in the management" but argued sanctions should be limited to the removal of Mr Craigs and additional conditions for the licence.

Mr Criags' representation said a new management team was already lined up to takeover Cleo's Bar and keeping it operational was "in everyone's interests" by supporting the night-time economy.

The matter went before the Labour-led council's licensing sub-committee where councillors ultimately ruled the premises licence should be revoked, noting the new management structure did not "address sufficiently their concerns".

'Pushed and punched'

Helen Thompson, solicitor for Northumbria Police, said the force had a "history of involvement" with Cleo's dating back to January 2023, when the premises licence application was first submitted.

But it was three incidents in January this year which led to the licence review, Ms Thompson said.

The first saw door staff strike a man with a bat after a door was damaged, the meeting heard, while the second saw an "intoxicated" member of the public being ejected "by being pushed to the floor, dragged out and punched several times".

Neither incidents were reported to police, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The hearing was told the third involved an "altercation" at the bar, which led to a fight outside that was witnessed by two staff members but not reported to the police.

The council agreed the bar's licence should be revoked

The legal representative on behalf of Mr Craigs noted the licence holder acknowledged the incidents were "unacceptable".

"There has been a failure in the management and operation of these premises. It is quite clear that the overarching failure is one of management," he added.

The lawyer said modified premises licence conditions and a reduction of opening hours were measures they would be happy to comply with.

"We are here seeking to engage, to be prepared to put in place any measures which are deemed fit in order to allow the continuation of this business," he said.

Following the conclusion of the hearing, council legal officers noted Mr Craigs could appeal the decision.