A CHEPSTOW bar will have its premises licence reviewed at a council meeting next week, on the grounds that it breaches public safety.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service submitted the application to Monmouthshire council, raising concerns about the Mythos Meze Bar, Welsh Street.

This was after they visited the bar in March 2006, following a complaint from a member of the public who claimed she had burnt her coat on a candle situated in the bar.

In 2009, fire safety officers visited several Monmouthshire premises and said they found numerous candles inside and observed other safety concerns.

The owner, Dios Mastrogiannopolous was asked to supply the fire service with the fire risk assessment and safety records for the bar, but the agenda said these were not supplied.

A further visit, in December 2010, found a defective fire alarm system and the rear escape stair obstructed by boxes, a bicycle and a ladder.

In the report, the fire service said: "For this authority to effectively examine the fire safety procedures at the premises it is essential that a fire risk assessment is made available to us. Physical inspections have repeatedly identified fire safety contraventions."

Ian Meyrick, licence holder of the Coach and Horses public house, also commented on the application for review, including problems with noise which he said has affected his bed and breakfast premises.

Breaching public safety is one of the reasons why Monmouthshire council can review a premises licence, as detailed in section 39 of their Licensing Policy.

Commenting on the review, owner Mr Mastrogiannopolous said he received a letter at the end of December last year about the fire safety concerns, but he said he believed he had six months to put them right.

He told the Argus he had co-operated with the fire service, made the changes and asked them to come and check his premises again.

He added no customers have had a problem with candles since the incident in 2006.

The Licensing Sub Committee will meet to discuss the license review next Tuesday.