The Gower Arms has finally lost its licence. At a recent hearing Councillors ordered the closure of the public house.
Strict licensing conditions were imposed on the pub in January this year, including an order to upgrade the CCTV system, ban children, enforce a stringent search policy, employ weekend security staff and stop people congregating outside.
Acting Inspector Simon Leake from the Burngreave and Pitsmoor safer neighbourhood policing team said that these conditions had been breached. He produced a dossier of evidence showing that more than 10% of all crime in Burngreave in the past year, had been committed within 250 metres of the Gower Arms.
Mr Soloman who for the last seven years has run the pub, said that he could not take responsibility for all the crime in the area. He felt that he had complied with all the conditions imposed in January and that he had spent thousands upgrading the CCTV, rewiring, improving toilets and employing doormen.
Inspector Leake said, “This was the right decision. I hope the closure will act as a warning to members of the criminal fraternity and licensees who shield them.”
Asked if the closure would just move the problems elsewhere, he said: “We have already been talking to the licensees of other pubs in the area. They are working with us.”
After the hearing Mr Soloman said he would be appealing the decision. He has 21 days from receiving the notice of revocation to launch an appeal.