Barnard Castle Working Men’s Club has had its licence reinstated almost a month after losing it.
Police raised concerns over the venue’s management following a violent incident on July 12 in which a pool cue and ball were used as weapons.
An emergency licensing hearing at Durham County Hall was shown CCTV footage of the incident and shocked representatives speaking on behalf of the venue said the individuals involved were not club members.
At that initial hearing, Barnard Castle Working Men’s Club lost its premises licence, which meant it could not operate as a public house. However, it did retain its club certificate which meant members were still able to use the facilities.
Club staff said they were horrified by the disorder and vowed to prioritise the safety of customers in the future. And at a recent follow-up hearing, Durham County Council’s licensing committee agreed to hand back the licence.
Under the updated licence, a new designated premises supervisor will be appointed with an enhanced staffing structure.
Additional CCTV cameras will be installed throughout the venue and the current smoking area will be relocated further away from homes on George Street, Ware Street and Pearson Terrace to avoid disturbance to residential properties.
Durham Constabulary confirmed it approved the changes.
Allyn Walton, a solicitor representing the venue, said: “The measures are not merely reactive steps but represent a fundamental shift in our operational approach, prioritising public safety, the prevention of crime and disorder, and the protection of public nuisance.
“We believe that the comprehensive and immediate actions demonstrate our sincere commitment to addressing the concerns that led to the suspension of our premises licence.”
Tim Robson, licensing chair, said the committee was satisfied the venue could return to normal with the new conditions.
He added: “We hope to see no further incidents related to the premises, and I’m sure licensing enforcement officers will be looking at it over the next few months and years.”
