Fatal shooting pub may close

A notorious Wolverhampton pub which was the scene of a fatal shooting in March is facing a shock closure.

The police have asked the city council to review the future of the Bagot Arms pub in Whitmore Reans because of ongoing concerns about trouble.

In March 26-year old Luke Harris was gunned down outside the pub, and the police say the landlord has failed to calm fears over security despite repeated assurances.

The pub, in Newhampton Road West, was asked to increase the number of door staff and stop using the back door as an exit, but officers say it has not happened.

Police wanted the number of doormen increased from two to at least three and the rear exit closed off, but say despite visits to the pub nothing has changed.

A report on the pub also says that it does not have a policy for searching customers despite being asked to implement one.

The city council licensing committee is meeting on June 25 at the Civic Centre to decide what to do, with bosses being asked to review the problem “with a view to removing the Bagot Arms licence”.

Councillor Tersaim Singh, who represents St Peter’s, said: “It needs to be looked at carefully because there is nothing wrong with the pub, it’s the criminals that are the problem.

Pub licensee Mukesh Ahir said: “We have got a barrister fighting this case and it’s sad what the police and council trying to do - there were problems before, but now it’s a family place and we have done everything we can to improve.”