A pub which was previously a target for disorder and anti-social behaviour has won its battle to stay open.
The Don Bar was threatened with closure when Stockton Council revoked its licence after a number of anti-social incidents.
The Calvert’s Lane pub appealed the decision and Teesside Magistrates’ Court today said it could keep its licence after hearing the pub has successfully turned itself around.
However owner Julia Cooper was told that the nightclub below the pub, Taboo, has been removed from the licence and therefore must remain shut.
Mrs Cooper was also told that three door staff must be working every Friday, Saturday and bank holidays from 11pm until closing time at 4am.
Joan Smith, representing the Stockton Council told magistrates there had been an improvement in the premises since October last year.
PC James Johnson from Cleveland Police said since the review was started, there had been no incidents at the pub.
He said officers will continue to monitor the premises and said “action will be taken” if slip ups are made.
After the hearing Mrs Cooper spoke of her relief at the decision.
She said most of the previous trouble came from the club rather than the bar and said the pub is now a “safe” environment.
Mrs Cooper, 50, said: “We have been so worried about this.
“Since we were told the council was taking away the licence we have worked hard to turn this around.
"Taboo has been shut for about a year now.
“It was being managed by a family member and it didn’t work out.
"There was a lot of trouble there with fighting and vandalism. It wasn’t nice.
"But changes were made and the pub is now known as a safe, family environment.
“Customers have been so worried about all this too and quite a few of them came along to court.”
Last year, to mark the centenary of the First World War the pub adorned its walls with 23,000 poppies which remain in place in support of Teesside war heroes.
Councillor Steve Nelson, Stockton Council’s cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: “We are pleased that the downstairs nightclub – which was the area of most concern to the police – has been removed from the licence and that the court has insisted on additional door staff being employed.
“Let us be absolutely clear – we want to create a safe, family friendly environment in Stockton town centre and we will not tolerate any premises there, or indeed anywhere in the borough, that becomes a focal point for disorder.
“We will take firm and decisive action wherever such problems occur and will work with the police to closely monitor any premises where concerns are reported.”
Dave Blenkey, 38, a security section leader at Asda, is a regular at the pub.
He said: “I was devastated when I heard the licence might be taken away.
"It is a great pub and it’s a safe place. I take my family and colleagues in there and we never feel unsafe."
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