Hull City Council’s licensing sub-committee concluded that multiple licensing objectives, including prevention of crime and disorder “have been seriously undermined”
Figo Restaurant & Bar on Newland Avenue, Hull, and the notice of a premises licence review – councillors decided to remove the licence for it(Image: LDR)
Councillors have decided to remove a licence for an African restaurant and bar in Hull after violence associated with it. Hull City Council’s licensing sub-committee met on Monday, July 20, to decide on a premises licence review for Figo Restaurant and Bar, which is at 26 Newland Avenue, near where it meets Queens Road.
The review had been applied for by Humberside Police’s Chief Constable Chris Todd on the grounds that the operation of the premises undermined licensing objectives covering prevention of crime and disorder, public safety and the prevention of public nuisance. The review was open to representations for a four-week period between late May and June.
Most of the licensing sub-committee meeting was held behind closed doors due to an ongoing police investigation. Media was allowed back into the room for its conclusion.
Chair Lucy Lennon (Liberal Democrat – Beverley and Newland Ward) read a short statement confirming the sub-committee’s decision to remove the licence. She stated it was felt the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety and prevention of public nuisance licensing objectives “have been seriously undermined”.
A lack of CCTV and “serious incidents of violence” were cited behind the decision. Cllr Lennon also stated the sub-committee had felt any lesser measure would not have stopped the issue raised.
Exclusion of the public and press was applied for by Humberside Police representatives for the evidential part of the meeting. Mr Goucher, solicitor for the police, stated: “There are two investigations in respect of this premises.
“One is involving a matter which is ongoing and serious and as a result of that we’d like to make an application to exclude the public from the hearing of these evidential matters,” he said. They were content for the result to be public but whilst a certain incident was discussed asked for it to be “in camera”, so behind closed doors.
He stressed this was because “it’s an ongoing investigation and may result in serious charges”, which he clarified he meant indictable charges. Such charges, if they occurred, would be handled at a Crown Court, and not a Magistrates’ Court.
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A council officer advised the sub-committee’s trio of councillors that exclusion could occur where there is information related to any action or action to be taken concerning the investigation and prosecution of crime. And he noted in the papers available to councillors, there were serious matters disclosed within these.
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