Police reduce opening hours of licensed premises after violence fears

The opening hours for Blue Lounge in Rochdale have been dramatically reduced following an emergency hearing by police and the council.

The town centre pub at Yorkshire Street was forced to review its opening hours by police and licensing officers following a serious violent incident at the premises on 15 May.

Police were called to the address following a serious assault on a 27 year-old man, who was hospitalised with bleeding to the brain.

At the emergency hearing on 19 May a decision was made to amend the licensing conditions of the premises due to its association with serious violent crime and repeatedly failing to comply with the conditions of their licence, despite several warnings for the lack of management and control of the premises.

The conditions have resulted in the removal of the designated premises supervisor and the opening hours have been amended from 9am to 4am to Monday to Sunday noon to 11.30pm and alcohol sales from noon to 11pm daily.

Door staff will also be required to work Thursday to Sunday from 8pm to close of business.

Daisy Edwards, licensing officer for Rochdale Division said: “The Blue Lounge has been monitored by police and the council for some time over concerns of crime and disorder.

“The decision to have their license reviewed came after several meetings with management at the premises and both written and verbal advice about how the premises could run safely.

“This highlights to all licensees that if their premises fail to act on our warnings, we will come down hard.”

Andy Glover, Public Protection Manager for Rochdale Borough Council said: “We’re committed to ensuring that the town centre is a safe environment for people to drink and socialise – that means there’s no place for an establishment that’s becoming a hotspot for antisocial behaviour, violence or any other type of criminal activity.