Merseyside bar keeps licence despite drug taking concerns

Police described a "catalogue of incidents" at the Kingfisher Sports Bar

A bar where police found "extensive evidence" of drug taking alongside a raft of other concerns has been allowed to continue trading.

Police had asked for Kingfisher Sports Bar in Kirkby, Merseyside, to have its licence reviewed after an "accumulation of incidents".

At a meeting on Wednesday, councillors agreed the bar could keep its licence under certain conditions.

The bar did not respond to a request for comment.

But the decision was taken after customers praised the "regeneration" of the bar by its management.

Ahead of the Knowsley Council licencing sub-committee meeting, Merseyside Police submitted an application which said the bar had been subjected to a temporary closure notice on 10 November, 2023.

The force said that followed a "walk through" at the premises, on Bewley Drive in Southdene, due to "disorder and disruptive behaviour" by customers.

On that day, a man was also arrested at the pub on suspicion of drugs supply offences.

The application added: "There was also extensive evidence of drug use within the toilets of the premises, unchecked by staff."

Merseyside Police said its licensing team had met with the designated licence holder, Andrew Joseph Maher, on 10 August, due to an "arson attack" the previous month.

It said: "There has been a catalogue of incidents and drug related intelligence pertaining to these premises, prior to applying for this review."

'Zero-tolerance'

Ahead of the meeting, the bar's owners submitted letters from supporters including its darts team, which praised the "regeneration" of the bar by its management.

The letter said: "The Kingfisher is now a vibrant, busy place for people of all ages. They do tremendous work for the local community and charity work."

The pub was also given positive references by Kingfisher Football Club and from Kirkby Darts League.

In a statement, Merseyside Police said: "The review was held following a series of incidents at the premises, culminating with a walk through by uniformed officers in November of last year, when drugs and paraphernalia were found on the premises.

"During the review, conditions for future operation of the premises were agreed by the licence holder and Merseyside Police, in order to prevent any such incidents occurring in the future. Measures have been put in place by the Licensee to deter any persons wishing to engage in drug-related activity."

Knowsley Council confirmed that amendments had been made to the licence with the agreement of the licensee.