Publican loses licence for holding 'lock-ins'

The case of a Lancashire licensee who lost her licence because of "lock-ins" has served as a stark reminder for other publicans.

Brenda Physick lost her licence at the Ropers Arms in Wigan Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, after she was convicted of two charges of selling alcohol outside of permitted hours last year. Her former husband who ran the pub with her had also been convicted of two similar charges.

Police raised objections before the licensing committee when the licence for the pub, which is owned by Burtonwood Brewery, was up for renewal at Ormskirk Magistrates Court on March 20.

Sergeant Geoff Sumner, Lancashire Constabulary licensing officer, told a local newspaper: "These prosecutions were brought after a long history of complaints about the running of the premises and followed warnings to the licensee which do not appear to have been heeded.

"It is a reminder to all licensees that, while the government is considering deregulating licensing hours, until a change is made existing laws must be observed."

In January the Physicks were fined £2,500 each by Denbighshire magistrates for food hygiene offences relating to conditions at the Nant Hall Hotel in Prestatyn, Denbighshire, North Wales, which the couple also used to run.

A spokesperson for the Ropers Arms, which is currently closed, said: "We aim to have it open and serving the local community very shortly."