A GWENT pub, dubbed one of the worst pubs in Gwent for disorder, was given a stay of execution, as magistrates overturned a decision to revoke the owner's premises licence.
Torfaen Council revoked the premises licence for the Square Inn, Cwmbran in December but after a four day appeal hearing at Cwmbran Magistrates, the council's decision was deemed "disproportionate" on Friday.
However, magistrates have brought in 24 conditions of which landlord Iain Crockett must adhere to in order to stay open, including a two-month "cooling off period" where the pub must stay closed until June 21.
Torfaen Council revoked the Square's premises license after being called to an average of four incidents a week at the venue during the first nine months of 2009.
Armed response police were called in to deal with a riot at the pub because it was deemed too dangerous for other officers to enter.
Around 50 people brawled for 20 minutes in a succession of fights, until officers pinned the offenders against the walls with taser beams in October last year.
Other incidents included a man being attacked with a metal chair, being kicked on the floor and having part of his ear bitten off in June 2007 and men selling stolen TVs from Asda to customers in April 2009.
During the hearing, the magistrates heard from Torfaen's licencing officer PC Jim Aitken who said the basement nightclub only had a capacity of 100 people, but it was the third worst licenced premises for disorder in the whole of Gwent, behind Escapade and Revolution in Newport, which each have a capacity of more than 1,000.
Chairman of the bench, Vivian Perry, said there had been a "number of violent incidents" involving drinkers from the pub.
He accepted the management's admittance that they had "taken their eye off the ball".
But, he said that Torfaen licensing committee's ultimate sanction was wrong in that it was "disproportionate".
Owner Iain Crockett said after the appeal hearing: "I am very happy with decision and will now work closely with the police, licensing authority and Cwmbran Shopping."
The conditions of the magistrates are: The basement only to be used with the prior writte consent of the police Licensing hours of the basement reduced to correspond with the rest of the premises (close at midnight) All furniture removed from outside area and it reinstated into Gwent Square Designated premises supervisor to be employed full-time A personal license holder present on site during all licensing hours All staff, as far as possible, hold a National Certificate of Personal License Holders Level 2 Notices displayed warning customers about handling stolen goods DPS within one month should ensure a risk assessment is carried out All empty glasses collected within 30 minutes Toilets checked regularly, including inspections for drugs An incident log is maintained All violence or criminal activity reported to the police Pubwatch notified of all those banned Prepare and implement a dispersal policy Display local taxi numbers Do not sell alcohol to anyone that looks under 21 Police given access to CCTV No-one leaves with alcohol Iain Crockett not to be DPS Peter Dalling not to be in managerial role External door to lounge shall be stopped, only used as a fire exit Door supervision at all times Review by police and local authority after thee months Premises not to trade until June 21 For the first floor, police notified of pool or darts matches
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