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Plans to relaunch a troubled micropub with a new name and management are facing fresh opposition from Lancashire Constabulary.
The former Tulketh Tap Room is currently closed for three weeks as part of a punishment for a catalogue of licensing breaches which also saw former owner Ray Woods effectively banned from entering the bar despite living above it.
During the lengthy subcommittee hearing which resulted in that decision, new boss Nicki Kirby was at pains to distance himself from Mr Woods and insisted he wanted a completely new start. As part of that plan, the Tulketh Brow venue will be renamed Rum Jack’s Irish Bar and redecorated during the enforced closure.
Read more: Lancashire Police welcomes new Chief Inspector for Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire
However, the bar’s future plans face a new obstacle as Lancashire Constabulary has formally objected to the proposed choice of a new designated premises supervisor – Jack Waring – due to his links to the previous operation.
According to licensing officer PC Ste Connolly, and backed up in Companies House records, Mr Waring was previously the sole director of Quarry Point Ltd – the company which was legally responsible for the bar for around one year.
In his submission to the licensing subcommittee, PC Connolly wrote: “Whilst Mr Waring was the sole director of the company, the premises saw countless allegations of drug use, drug dealing and lock-ins. Lancashire Constabulary recorded multiple occasions during this period where the Premises Licence conditions were completely ignored.
“Mr Waring failed to manage his Designated Premises Supervisor, as such was directly involved with the poor running of the Premises.
“It is extremely disappointing that despite reassurances from Mr Kirby to the Licensing subcommittee that the premises are proposing to have Mr Waring as Designated Premises Supervisor mere weeks after the conclusion of the review hearing.
“Lancashire Constabulary believe that should the application be granted, that under the day-to-day control of Mr Waring the premises will once again be a source of Crime & Disorder and Public Nuisance in that community.”
In a Facebook post shared after a first hearing in July, Mr Kirby said: “This is no longer tulketh tap room and it will not go back to the way it was. Please appreciate this is a family run business now and any sort of crime, disorder, or Nuisance will not be tolerated on the premises.”
Preston’s licensing subcommittee will meet on September 12 to discuss the application.
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