Pub's licence in review after stabbing in toilet

The Royal Castle pub on Sams Lane, West Bromwich, had its licence temporarily revoked in July

A pub in West Bromwich could have its licence permanently removed following a stabbing on the premises.

A fight broke out at The Royal Castle Bar and Restaurant on 20 July and a man in his 40s was stabbed in the venue's disabled toilet.

During an interim licensing hearing three days later, Sandwell Council said the venue had responded "poorly" to the incident, with the pub's licence temporarily revoked. A committee will review the matter on 18 August.

Ian Fellows, representing the owner Nar Bahadur Sahani, told councillors in last month's hearing that despite the incident, shutting the venue was an "overreaction".

During the same proceedings, West Midlands Police said the owner "took no visible action" to de-escalate the fight and no calls were made to the force during the incident, despite at least eight members of staff working.

The stabbed man was taken to hospital to treat his injures, which were not life-threatening, said police.

The hearing was also told how Mr Sahani had not kept records of training or refusal logs, had not offered staff training in conflict or resolution management, and had taken "no issue" with a potential fault with CCTV cameras.

The licensing committee ruled the incident took place due to "poor management".

Mr Fellows said Mr Sahani was a young father who had never experienced such disorder and it was the first time he had to deal with a fight at the premises.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.