Bid fails to reopen pub that broke lockdown rules

The former licensee of a Nottinghamshire pub shut down for breaching lockdown rules has failed in an attempt to reopen it.

The Queen's Head in Main Street, Kimberley, was issued with a temporary banning order in September 2020 after it emerged Covid-19 restrictions were not being enforced at the premises.

A new premises licence application for the pub was submitted by the previous licensee, Juan Hua Chen, in July.

Broxtowe Borough Council's licensing and appeals panel unanimously voted to reject the application on Tuesday.

A Nottinghamshire Police report to the council detailed late-night violence, disorder and anti-social behaviour between June 2019 and September 2020, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

The panel heard concerns about public safety following instances of violent disorder, the effectiveness of fire exits and inadequate CCTV.

Barrister Paul Stinson, who represented the force at the hearing, said: "This is a case where there has been very serious problems with these premises in 2020.

"Various agencies have tried to engage with Mr Chen, to support him, support the licensing objectives around the management of the property, the CCTV, the clear environmental health concerns.

"There's no confidence of any change or that anything will change if the licence was granted."

Adam French, senior environmental health officer at the council, added: "It is my opinion that Mr Chen has not, will not, and cannot uphold the public safety."

Attempts were previously made to revive the site by Mr Chen's partner Mei Mei Huang in 2022, who also had a licence application rejected by the council.

Regarding the trouble previously experienced at the pub, Mr Chen told the hearing: "If somebody comes to my business and starts some trouble, there's nothing I can do about it.

"Why – if there's violence on the street – is it always the Queen's Head?"

Residents and business owners nearby had previously said they feared reopening the pub would bring "the wrong crowd" back into the area.

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