Pub has licence suspended after drugs raid

A pub has had its licence suspended after a police raid uncovered evidence of drug use and dealing.

Owner Admiral Taverns has been given six weeks to make improvements to the Griffin, in Bolton, Lancashire.

At a licensing hearing, the pub company was ordered to install CCTV to combat drug use in the pub toilets. The licensing committee also said Admiral must put procedures in place to confiscate drugs.

Police raided the Griffin last month. As well as signs of drug use, officers said the Griffin was widely used by young mothers - although there was no evidence of serving under-age customers.

Bolton's licensing officer, PC Garry Lee, "At Christmas, young girls were going in with prams and toddlers during the day. It became like an unofficial youth club."

He told the hearing the Griffin needed to be "dragged kicking and screaming" into the 21st century. "The pub needs to be refurbished. It must be brought up to the same standard of other premises in the town centre."

A spokesperson for Admiral Taverns said: "Within 48 hours of being notified of the police raid at the Griffin we had shut the pub. We are committed to turning the pub around and will be working with the police and local authorities to give it a fresh start.

"We are keen to see the Griffin reopen and trading responsibly with the right licensee behind the bar."