The fate of a village pub has been decided behind closed doors after a police report into an alleged violent incident was ruled too sensitive to be discussed in public.
Licensing chiefs were asked to review the premises licence for No5 Duke Street, West Barns, and its landlady's personal licence after reports of brawls outside the pub, fire exits secured using bicycle locks and claims that watered down vodka was being served.
But at a virtual meeting of East Lothian Licensing Board yesterday the public broadcast was cut short after members agreed to hold the review in private.
READ MORE: East Lothian pub may lose licence over 'brawls, watered down vodka and fire exit locks'
The council's legal adviser Carlos Grilli told the board: "The board may wish to consider hearing the two licenses together and considering putting them in private due to the nature of the review of the premises licence and the nature of the review of the personal licence."
It is understood a police report which had been requested after an alleged violent incident earlier this year and had not been made public ahead of the meeting sparked the move.
A report by the council's licensing standards officer was published last week and detailed a catalogue of concerns over changes made to the pub during a renovation.
Landlady Natasha Colhoun was accused by the officer of “significantly lacking” in her knowledge of the law despite being a named premises manager for five years.
In her report the officer said: "Ms Colhoun has shown contempt and complete disregards for the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 and has simply done as she please.”
The report said the pub appeared to cease trading in June 2019 before undergoing major renovations. It reopened in April this year with a new layout which was different to the one approved by licensing chiefs – and no application for approval of the new look was submitted.
In June the report said the licensing standards officer was made aware of a string of antisocial behaviour complaints relating to rubbish being dumped, late night drunken screaming and fighting at the front of the pub and police being called to one violent incident.
A beer garden opened to the rear of the pub did not have planning permission and there were concerns raised by the officer over “irresponsible drink promotions” on social media.
Environmental health officers were also called in to investigate after complaints were made about vodka being watered down in the pub, while tables and chairs appeared outside the front of the venue without approval.
The report said: “Ms Colhoun was asked why she had gone ahead and put tables and chairs at the front of the premises without permission from roads to do so or a variation or occasion licence to which she replied everyone else is doing it so I though I could.”
It also stated that Environmental Health contacted the licensing standards officer in June this year, adding: “The department had received a complaint in relation the the premises watering down alcohol in particular vodka. It was confirmed the premises had not registered (with Environmental Health) and details of the new operator were requested. A report has been requested from Environmental Health.”
The pub announced its temporary closure on its Facebook page on July 15 and is currently shut.
An East Lothian Council spokesperson said the decision of the board would be made public after a legal statement had been prepared.
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