A pub where a Wolverhampton father was shot dead was saved from closure this afternoon – despite police fears about public safety.
The owner of the Bagot Arms pub in Whitmore Reans now says he wants to turn it into a family pub following the death of Luke Harris, aged 26, who was gunned down in the venue.
Council licensing chiefs decided to keep the pub open today after a tense meeting lasting almost three hours at the Civic Centre.
Police had requested the authority review the Newhampton Road West pub’s licence “with a view to closure”.
Licensing chiefs rejected that request, but said the pub must close at 12.30am on a Friday and Saturday from now on rather than 2am, and have three doormen outside from 9pm.
Owner Mukesh Ahir said: “We’ve got quite a few plans for the pub and want to open a restaurant and turn it into a family place. On the day of the shooting it was very, very quiet, so much so that I went home and we had no door-men. If mistakes have been made we are willing to listen and do whatever it takes to turn it into a family pub.”
The pub has agreed an action plan which includes keeping customer numbers down to 110 and closing the beer garden by 9pm.
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