Athenaeum's fate uncertain

The fate of a Manchester city-centre pub, closed by magistrates for fear of soccer violence breaking out, will be decided at a hearing next month. The Athenaeum pub was ordered to close its doors on every Manchester City home game after police had used their powers under the Criminal Justice Act to close the bar on the day the club was due to play Arsenal last month. The closure followed a threat of disorder at the pub which saw 40 riot police being called to the 800-capacity venue. At the time, police said they believed there was effective management control at the pub which attracts large groups of supporters on match days. Talks have since been held between police and the pub's owners Six Continents Retail. Six Continents Retail director of communications Bob Cartwright said the two sides had held a frank exchange of views on a number of issues surrounding the pub. Sergeant Jan Brown, of the Manchester City Centre Safe police unit, said she was hopeful that the problems could be resolved. She said: "Talks have taken place with the operators of the pub and there has been co-operation on all sides." Licensing magistrates will decide whether to allow the venue to open as normal or extend the existing Saturday closure order at a hearing in a couple of weeks.