Yates pub has hours cut

A Yates pub has been ordered to cut trading hours amongst other stringent conditions following 42 alleged licence breaches and 114 recorded police incidents in the last year.

New conditions at the Preston site include a six-week ban on serving alcohol after 1am.

Indefinite conditions having the designated premises supervisor present for any "major events" and by 8pm every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. The capacity has been reduced from 726 to 600.

Licensing sergeant John Lovick told the committee he "had issues with the competence" of the manager and accused the area manager of having "lost control".

Lovick said a "catalyst" incident during the August Bank Holiday weekend had prompted the licence review.

Police were shown CCTV footage of an incident on New Year's Day, which involved two organised gangs and caused the police to use CS spray.

Police claim 43 arrests, 26 assault allegations and an alleged rape took place in the year ending 31 August 2009.

On behalf of Yates's, solicitor Rob Westwood-Payne said there were "major mistakes" in the police's evidence.

"We continue to work very closely with the authorities in Preston and have every confidence in our management team and their control over the premises," said a spokesman for Yates, which is owned by Town and City Pub Company.

"The licensing committee were content with all of the measures recently put in place to combat potential problems at the premises. These measures include a reduction in opening hours for a short period of time."

The pub has 21 days to appeal.