A troubled town centre nightspot has had its licence transferred after police asked for a review.
The premises licence for the Funky Lime pub on Stockton high street, which is currently closed, was transferred to the owner of the property Cable Properties & Investments Ltd, ahead of a meeting of the Stockton Council’s licensing sub-committee.
At a behind-closed-doors meeting, councillors then decided to remove the pub’s manager from the licence.
The action comes after Cleveland Police raised concerns over “a number of incidents” at the bar, although the force has not publicly gone into detail about the nature of the problems.
Cllr Steve Nelson, Stockton Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety, said: “We want to make the town centre a safe and welcoming place for families to enjoy and we will not tolerate premises that do not meet their responsibilities.
“Our licensing aims are clear and include preventing crime and disorder, and securing public safety.
“The application for a review of this licence was made by Cleveland Police following a number of incidents at this premises.
“After considering all of the evidence our licensing sub-committee has acted decisively to protect the public and make clear our view that public houses must be operated by reputable management teams which care about their customers, strive to protect them and sell alcohol in a responsible way.”
Funky Lime is licensed to sell alcohol from 10am until 12.30am Monday to Tuesday, until 1.30am Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday and until 2.30am on Friday to Saturday.
Last week, the former manager of the Royal George pub in Thornaby failed in his bid to be issued a new licence by Stockton Council’s licensing committee.
Councillors agreed with Cleveland Police, who objected to the application after pointing out “numerous incidents of violence and anti-social behaviour as well as after-hours drinking”.
That pub has been shut since last November, after the previous landlord of the Grade II-listed building on Thornaby Road surrendered the licence ahead of a review hearing.
Cleveland Police was contacted for comment over its decision to call for a review of the Funky Lime licence but has so far made no statement.
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