Sedgley bar's licence revoked after multiple breaches involving children and opening beyond hours
A bar has had its licence revoked after breaches including children on the premises and operating outside permitted hours were uncovered.
Dudley Council’s licensing committee has revoked the licence of Cocktails & Dreams in Sedgley following breaches it uncovered during an investigation with the council’s licensing team.
Cocktails & Dreams on Bilston Street, Sedgley, appeared before councillors at a review hearing on Thursday, June 1 after Dudley Police's licensing officers received reports in April of the venue breaking the terms of its conditions.
An investigation was launched alongside Dudley Council’s licensing enforcement team, with evidence including CCTV footage gathered.
Breaches included children not being properly accompanied by adults and being on the premises after agreed hours, the venue remaining open beyond permitted hours and door staff not being properly licensed.
The licence for the bar has been revoked, although a spokesman for Cocktails & Dreams said the bar could continue to trade until the outcome of the appeal.
A spokesman for Dudley Police said: "Dudley Council’s licensing committee has revoked the licence of a bar in Sedgley following breaches we uncovered during an investigation with the council’s licensing team.
"Cocktails & Dreams on Bilston Street, Sedgley, had its licence revoked at a review hearing last Thursday, 1 June.
"The review was called by our police licensing officers in April after we received reports the venue was breaking the terms of its licence conditions, particularly around the protection of children.
"We began investigating with our partners from Dudley Council’s licensing enforcement team, gathering evidence, including CCTV footage.
"We built up a case which revealed breaches around children not being properly accompanied by adults and being on the premises beyond agreed hours, as well as other infractions such as the venue remaining open beyond its permitted operating hours and door staff not being appropriately licensed.
"The licensing committee accepted our submission and determined that the premises licence of Cocktails & Dreams be revoked, pending appeal."
Sergeant Jon Andrews from the police's partnerships team said: “We know bars and pubs are important social hubs in our communities and we want them to thrive but it’s important they operate in a socially responsible manner.
"That wasn’t the case here. It became clear to us that Cocktails & Dreams wasn’t adhering to the terms of its licence conditions so we had to act and we’re pleased about the licensing committee’s decision.”
Councillor Damian Corfield, cabinet member for highways and environmental services for Dudley Council, said: “Licensees are responsible for upholding the conditions of their licence.
"Where there have been clear breaches, we won’t hesitate to take action as in the case of Cocktails and Dreams.”
