Pub 'associated with serious crime' that closed suddenly could reopen with reduced hours and stricter CCTV

A pub which had its licence reviewed over police concerns it was "associated with serious crime" could re-open with reduced hours and stricter security measures. The Greyhound on High Street, Newport announced its closure back in September, citing Covid-related pressures, the cost of living crisis and challenges with repairing its building.

On September 29 Newport City Council received an application from Gwent Police to review the Greyhound's licence. A council notice on the venue's door said a summary licence review under the Licensing Act had been requested as: "In the opinion of a senior police officer the premises are associated with serious crime." A summary review is a fast-track review process brought by the police when they consider that a premises concerned is involved in serious crime, serious disorder, or both.

On September 28 Gwent Police said it was investigating a report of a sexual assault believed to have happened in the pub at around 11.55pm on Saturday, September 9. Police said the alleged victim, a teenage girl, was sexually assaulted by a man and was receiving support from specialist officers. A 28-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman, both from the Newport area, were arrested in connection with the incident. Both were released on police bail and the investigation is ongoing. For the latest Newport news, sign up to our newsletter here.

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On Tuesday, October 24 the council's licencing sub-committee met to discuss the licence review and agreed to impose a number of conditions on the Greyhound which it will have to comply with in order to be allowed to reopen. These include reducing its normal operating hours by three hours, restrictions on when it can sell alcohol, installing "comprehensive" CCTV and recording and monitoring of any incidents accurately.

The pub's usual time for serving alcohol will now be 3am and its closing time will be 3.30am, extended to 4am and 4.30 respectively on both Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. "Comprehensive" CCTV cameras covering both the exits and entrances to the venue, including its outside areas, will need to be installed and recordings kept for 31 days with date and time stamping. Incident logs must be recorded including for all ejections of customers, any complaints received regarding crime or disorder, any incidents of disorder, any seizures of drugs or weapons, any faults in the CCTV system or searching equipment, any refused sales of alcohol, any requests for 'Angela' or similar or any visits by a the emergency services.

The other conditions imposed on the Greyhound also include increased staff training, a 'Challenge 25' policy, restrictions on noise nuisance and no under-18 events of 18th or 21st birthday parties in the first-floor function room/sports bar. After 10pm any alcohol must be sold in polycarbonate or plastic glasses, except for bottled beer. A direct telephone number for the manager at the premises must be available when the premises is open and the designated premises supervisor (DPS) must be present at the venue two weekends a month.

Jack Bannister, who owns the Greyhound, is not permitted to be either the venue's DPS or deputy manager. No individual that has worked as an SIA licensed door supervisor at either Vibez Superclub on Cambrian Road, which is also run by Mr Bannister, or The Greyhound between October 1, 2022 and October 1, 2023 can be employed at the premises as such a supervisor.

Despite the Greyhound's announcement in September that it was closing down "with a heavy heart" it now appears that it could be set to reopen under the new conditions. Luke Elford, a solicitor representing Mr Bannister in respect of the licence reviews for both the Greyhound and Vibez, which faces its own licencing review on Tuesday, October 31 over police concerns, said Mr Bannister would be working with the authorities on the new conditions and "looks forward to reopening the venue in due course.

"The Greyhound Tavern was subject to an application for summary review following an allegation of a serious incident at the premises," Mr Elford said. "We have, and continue to, assist the police with their enquiries. At the hearing, Newport Council’s licensing sub-committee agreed to rescind the interim steps imposed at an earlier hearing and to replace them with a set of measures agreed between Jack and the police. Indeed, Jack was, and the police were praised by the sub-committee chairman for the way in which the parties worked together to a successful resolution. Jack looks forward to reopening the venue in due course."