Yates pub refused licence as 'threat to public safety'
Yates Group is appealing to the crown court against a decision by magistrates to refuse a licence at its site in Swinton, Lancashire.
It was refused after a solicitor representing the family of a man killed outside the pub last year issued a complaint to the local magistrates when Yates applied for a change of licensee.
Local newspaper reports claim that the family is also considering taking legal action against Yates Group.
Frank Buckley, 47, was drinking in the pub in March last year, when he was attacked by a gang of men including a doorman employed by a doorstaff company used by the pub chain.
In December last year the doorman, Daniel Anderson, from Clifton, who was registered illegally and was only 17 years old, was jailed for five years after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Buckley. His boss Brian Horrocks, 38, of Swinton, was convicted of violent disorder and sentenced to three-and-a-half years for his part in the incident.
In refusing the licence at Salford magistrates court, chairman of the bench Roger Hall said the pub had caused a public nuisance and was likely to cause a threat to public safety.
However, Yates argues that it has worked with the police and local authorites to resolve any safety issues. It has vowed to take its fight to the crown court and claimed that when the incident happened the pub was closed.
Mark Jones, chief executive of Yates, told The Publican: "This was not a nice incident. I support the Buckley family campaign - that people like this should get longer sentences. We should not be penalised for the act of one bad apple on one night. Since that night the police say the pub has been run very responsibly.
"The pub is being used as a focus for the disenchantment with the sentencing."
He also confirmed that no details of any legal action by the family had been received by Yates Group.
Greater Manchester Police had originally submitted an application to have the licence revoked on the site in April 2004 after a series of violent incidents in 2002 and 2003.
After negotiations with Yates and consultation with the local authority they reached an agreement. Conditions were agreed, including initiatives to turn it into a family-friendly pub, to end drinks promotions and happy hours, and to introduce shatterproof glass and CCTV.
