Decision made on Lewes pub’s licence after complaints of anti-social behaviour

A recently-closed Lewes pub is to keep its licence following a review hearing last week. 
Lamb of Lewes pubLamb of Lewes pub
Lamb of Lewes pub

The sub-committee had been expected to consider whether or not to revoke the pub’s licence, taking into consideration both the complaints from residents and concerns raised by Sussex Police around drug-taking at the premises.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However, the hearing took an unexpected turn, as the Greene King-owned (but tenant-run) pub closed its doors on Sunday, February 23.

At the hearing, representatives of the company the decision to close the pub had been taken “as soon as was possible” and was a result of both the review hearing and plans to sell the premises to Sussex-based restaurant chain Rustico Italiano.

In light of this, Greene King asked the sub-committee not to revoke the premises licence as it could prevent the sale moving ahead.

After hearing from all those involved, the sub-committee opted not to revoke the premises licence and instead has decided to add a number of additional conditions to its licence.
Some of these additional conditions - such as a requirement to employ door staff  - would only come into force should the premises ever reopen as a bar or pub.
In a written decision published on Tuesday (March 3), a council spokesman said: “The sub-committee understood and accepted the concerns of the local residents and police about the anti-social behaviour at the premises that had occurred.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“However, in deciding which steps it should take the sub-committee also took into account the assurances given by the representative of the licence holder that they took the allegations of mismanagement of the premises seriously. 

“It also gave due weight to the voluntary steps they had recently taken including the closure of the premises, the removal of the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) and their offering and mediating new conditions. 

“The sub-committee also took into account the plans to change the premises from a public house to a restaurant although it was also accepted that this was not definite. 

“However, it was accepted that the premises could be run as a public house without causing concerns to the local residents and police as long as it had effective management, since in the past that had occurred.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The written decision goes on to say that the committee did not consider that a condition requiring  the premises’ garden to close after 9.30pm (which had been suggested by residents) should be added.

However, the sub-committee did impose conditions that signs be put up in the garden asking customers to keep noise to a minimum.

The sub-committee also imposed a condition requiring the premises to liaise with residents and police and to keep a record of its communication. 

Despite the decision, The Lamb is expected to remain closed for some time.