Post published on March 10, 2024.
A bar in Whitby which had faced losing its licence has been told it can reopen after police withdrew their complaint following its sale to a new owner.
The BBC reported that North Yorkshire Police had applied for JK’s to have its licence revoked after a series of complaints. It had previously said the former owners had shown “complete disregard” for residents and the authorities.
However, after the bar in Wellington Road was sold, the force said it was no longer seeking a review.
At a licensing meeting, Sgt Tom Stoffel told councillors that “since the property had been sold to a new owner, the police would now withdraw the application”, according to the the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said
However, concerns about the bar’s future were still expressed by the head of the licensing committee, Tim Grogan. According to the report, the former police officer said he was “disappointed” and “unhappy” that the review did not go ahead, having previously heard there had been eight licence breaches and 21 police incidents at the bar.
The previous owner was not present at the hearing but Russell Vickers, representing the new owners – Northern Bay Leisure, assured the committee the premises would remain closed until improvements were made.