A pub which was banned from hosting DJs or having a dancefloor following violent incidents has applied for permission to bring them back.
The Cricketers in Rainham was given the restrictions which also limited them to only 10 pre-booked events per year, and required four door staff when the pub is open post-11pm, by Medway Council in 2018.
Strict conditions were placed on the pub after a group of men assaulted “at least three separate people”, including a woman who suffered a large cut to the crown of her head when she was hit by a tossed glass bottle of Prosecco in the month before.
Seven years on, owners Greene King have applied for restrictions, including preventing drinking outside after 11pm and drinks being only served in plastic cups or bottles after 10pm, to be lifted.
They have also asked rules which say all customers arriving after 10pm must be searched, be altered so searches are only done at the discretion of the staff.
The Cricketers’ licence allows it to serve alcohol between 9am and 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 9am until midnight the rest of the week.
After the incidents in 2018, interim restrictions were applied and the pub had been forced to close earlier, but Greene King successfully argued at the time the business would not survive without the opening hours it had.
Councillors at the time acknowledged the swift reaction of the pub chain to make changes, but applied strict conditions which are now being sought to be removed.
The application will be considered next week by Medway Council’s licensing hearing panel, which will hear representations from Greene King and objectors.
Samantha Clark, on behalf of a nearby Neighbourhood Watch, opposes some of the restrictions being lifted, saying local residents regularly complain about the level of noise coming from the pub.
In her objection, she opposes any “noise-based activities” in the outdoor areas of the pub and attached previous communications with Greene King about the “unacceptable” noise disturbing locals.
Greene King was contacted for comment about the application for the licence changes.
Medway Council’s licensing hearing panel will hear representations next week on September 2 and make a determination on whether the lifting of restrictions will be approved or not.
