Chickenley pub faces licence review after drunken brawls

Police say violence and anti-social behaviour at the Crown Hotel in Chickenley is putting the public at risk. But regulars have rallied round what they say is a family pub at the heart of the community.

Today, a Kirklees licensing panel will hear a request from police to revoke the pub’s licence or impose conditions.

A report by officers details noise complaints, after-hours drinking, allegations of drug use and several violent incidents.

In July, a man was glassed and had his ear bitten off when drunks outside the pub dragged him off his bike.

The following month, a man drinking in the pub in Chickenley Lane was punched and kicked to the floor by a group of attackers. When his mother tried to intervene, one of the men said he would go to the family home and slit their throats.

And Bonfire Night celebrations were ruined when a lit firework was thrown into a toilet cubicle, blowing off part of a customer’s hand.

Police say these and other incidents show the pub’s licence holder is failing to meet licensing objectives to prevent crime, disorder and public nuisance and to protect public safety.

But regulars paint a different picture in letters to the panel.

Martin White said the pub ‘provides a safe haven for people from all walks of life to get together and socialise so if anything, brings a deterrent to anti-social behaviour.’

He said any anti-social behaviour he had seen took place outside the shops opposite.

Mr and Mrs Finbow, of Hazel Avenue, said the Crown was a family pub with friendly staff who organised charity events and made changes following complaints about noise.

Darren Heaton also wrote saying the pub was being blamed for trouble which happened in the surrounding estates.

Only one of 10 letters sent to the council supported revoking the pub’s licence.

Pub management and licence holder CDSL Limited were unavailable for comment.