Troubled Wolverhampton pub allowed to keep licence

Police had called for the closure of the King's Arms in Blakenhall, Wolverhampton, following reports of gas thefts, violence, after-hours drinking and the employment of illegal immigrants.

However, councillors said the situation had improved since Daeva-Nand Chand took over the pub in Dudley Road in February. They ruled that the King's Arms could remain open providing a CCTV system was installed along with a cash register which recorded the time of alcohol sales.

Sgt Adrian Reeves asked councillors to revoke the licence for the pub in Dudley Road. He said while Mr Chand and manager Anil Dhanda had made improvements, there had still been problems with after-hours drinking. Sgt Reeves said officers were called at 12.50am on March 16 following reports of fighting outside the pub. When officers went into the pub, they were told there had been a private party going on, but that no drinks had been served since closing time. After-hours drinking was witnessed by officers on two further occasions, he said and added the pub had a long history of problems.

In September, shortly after previous licensee Balraj Singh Thumber took over, police were called to a fight at the pub. The following month, two illegal immigrants were found to be working in the kitchen and in November it was discovered that the electricity meter had been tampered with and a gas meter had been fitted illegally.

Mr Chand told the hearing he was aware the pub had a troubled history, but was working hard to change that. Mr Dhanda said the gas theft and employment of illegal immigrants were specific to the previous management.