Boss can run pub again despite noise protests

The boss of a West Bromwich pub, which had been accused of upsetting residents with loud noise and alleged "lock-ins", is free to continue his role after a successful appeal against his removal by Sandwell licensing chiefs.

The council's licensing panel had ordered the removal of Maurice McLeod from his position as supervisor at The Old Crown, in Sandwell Road, following a licensing review panel hearing in August.

The panel also ruled that the opening hours must be cut by 90 minutes every day.

Police had called for the review after an incident of alleged after-hours sales on May 29 as well as concerns from residents about noise and anti-social behaviour.

On one occasion a resident had reported noise in the night as late as 4am.

But an appeal was launched by pub owner and licensing holder Orville Hines on the grounds that the reduction in hours outlined by the review panel would make the business unviable.

At Sandwell Magistrates Court yesterday, District Judge Mr Michael Wheeler ruled that Mr McLeod's removal would be "unsupportable" because he had not held the position long enough for his tenure to have been evaluated effectively by the time the review panel hearing took place.

He also ruled that the pub's opening hours should be reduced, but by less than the licensing panel had stated.

At yesterday's hearing the court heard that improvements had been made and there had been only a couple of complaints received by police since August.

The court also heard that Mr McLeod had worked at the pub since January 2011 but he had become designated premises supervisor in June at about the time the application to the licensing panel was made.

Speaking at yesterday's hearing, Mr Wheeler said: "His tenure was too short for it to have been evaluated effectively by August 2011. I am of the opinion that the removal of

Mr McLeod as designated premises supervisor is unsupportable."

He also ruled the new opening hours for the pub would be from 10am to 12.30am Sundays to Thursdays and from 10am to 1.30am Fridays and Saturdays. Following the hearing, Mr McLeod said the result was "fair enough".