A VILLAGE pub which closed due to repeated breaches of licensing conditions could reopen, after a national pub chain submitted a new licence application.

Enterprise Inns Plc has submitted a licensing application to Newport City Council for The Goldcroft Inn, Goldcroft Common, Caerleon.

The council revoked the licence of the previous management, Goldcroft Inn Ltd, in February this year after concerns were raised over public safety at the pub.

A licence review hearing in February was told environmental health officers found a fire exit was bolted shut during a visit in November 2008 and during other visits officers found a karaoke machine blocking a side fire exit from the inside and loud music playing at the pub was having an unacceptable impact on nearby residents.

Gwent Police also raised concerns over the previous pub management's ability to prevent anti-social behaviour, after officers were called to several fights at the premises including one in April 2009, when two men were glassed.

Enterprise Inns, the freeholder of the premises, is applying for a licence to serve alcohol from 10am until 11pm Monday to Thursday, 10am until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, and 10am until 10.30pm on Sundays.

The application also seeks permission to play recorded music between 10am and 11.30pm Monday to Thursday, 10am until 12.30am Friday and Saturday, Christmas Eve and Boxing Day and 10am until 11pm on Sundays.

An Enterprise Inns spokeswoman said the Goldcroft was previously let on a long lease, but the premises were recently repossessed following the licence revocation.

She said: "Enterprise Inns have now recovered possession and are applying for a new Premises Licence and hope to complete a new letting to a tenant who, working in partnership with Enterprise, will improve the pub for the benefit of local customers and the community."

Members of Newport City Council's licensing committee will discuss the application on Tuesday.