Stafford bar will hold event as objections withdrawn
A landmark restaurant and bar which is currently without an alcohol licence will be allowed to stage a charity event after police withdrew their objections – while another in the same town is facing action for serving underage drinkers.
Bosses at the Post House in Stafford today revealed they expect to get a drinks licence restored 'very soon' and insisted it was 'business as usual'. Customers are being told to take their own alcoholic drinks and DJs are no longer playing there at weekends.
Plans to hold a fundraising event for Birmingham Children's Hospital were opposed by Staffordshire Police.
Officers revealed staff had been caught selling alcohol to an underage drinker acting undercover and previous manager Dennis Foster had been declared bankrupt.
And they argued they could not support the plans for the event while there was an ongoing issue with the pub's licence. But now the police's objection has been withdrawn – meaning the event can go ahead on November 9.
In a fresh development today, it emerged the Bird in Hand in Victoria Square had fallen foul of a sting operation by police and trading standards officials in Stafford.
Police have now asked Stafford Borough Council to review the premises' alcohol licence.
A report to councillors states: "An underage person was sent into the premises in order that they could attempt to purchase alcohol.
"The underage volunteer entered the premises and was not challenged as to their age. They were not asked for identification or any proof of their age and were subsequently sold alcoholic drinks."
The licence holder is Andrew Phillip Woodward.
A Stafford Borough Council licensing meeting over the application for the Post House that was planned for yesterday was cancelled at the last minute. Council spokesman Will Conaghan said: "The event may proceed as police have withdrawn their objections."
A letter from police submitted ahead of the meeting said a document compiled as part of the licence review 'included a failed compliance test whereby they sold alcohol to an underage volunteer'.
