The owner of North Street Social, a bar in Wolverhampton city centre, has successfully requested that the City of Wolverhampton Council take no further action following a licensing review prompted by several compliance issues earlier this year.
The council’s licensing committee had been considering revoking the bar’s licence due to ‘persistent and serious failures’ despite multiple opportunities to address concerns. These failures included lapses in incident record-keeping, security staff not adhering to uniform and body-worn camera requirements, and non-functional CCTV equipment.
One notable incident involved a customer being assaulted after making a serious allegation against another patron. Despite such concerns, councillors were moved by the owner, Johnny Jones, who explained the challenges faced by the establishment.
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Mr Jones revealed that during the period of inspection, he was “firefighting financially on a daily basis” and operating the business under significant strain. He expressed his sincere apologies for the oversights, attributing them to extraordinary personal circumstances. He emphasised that all identified issues have since been addressed.
He warned that revoking or suspending the licence would inevitably lead to the permanent closure of the business, citing the financial impossibility of continuing without trade revenue. He remarked, “If you really want another boarded-up pub in the centre of Wolverhampton, then revocation or suspension are the natural routes for you to take today.”
Mr Jones also provided context for specific incidents under scrutiny. He explained that damage caused by severe storms earlier in the year resulted in the loss of CCTV footage and paper records. Additionally, he clarified a misunderstanding about the necessity to notify police of in-house performers on Wolves matchdays.
Regarding police intervention involving youths with Tasers, he noted this took place when the bar was closed and that management cooperated fully. He addressed concerns about customers drinking outside the venue during match days by highlighting the difficulties of crowd control under such circumstances and detailing efforts to manage the area responsibly, including the use of pedestrian barriers.
The council’s solicitor, Kerryn Woollett, noted that the licensing sub-committee recognised the extenuating factors contributing to the February and March breaches and the licence holder’s previously limited engagement with the authority. Further, there was acceptance that no major incidents, drug-related activity, or underage sales had been evidenced at the premises.
Ultimately, impressed by the owner’s candidness and remedial actions, the licensing committee opted to allow North Street Social to retain its licence, providing the venue with the opportunity to continue operating while maintaining adherence to regulatory requirements.
This decision reflects the council’s consideration of both regulatory compliance and the challenges faced by local businesses in the current climate, aiming to balance public safety with economic sustainability.