Solihull pub at risk of losing licence following fight where ‘snooker cue was used as a weapon’

West Midlands Police has requested the licence of The Centurion pub in Forth Drive, Chelmsley Wood, is reviewed by Solihull Council. 

PC Luke Prescott writes the grounds for a review are that disorder “broke out inside the premises, involving children”.

The officer reports the incident took place within minutes of the final whistle of England’s Euro 2024 defeat with one youth using a “snooker cue as a weapon.”

In his report PC Prescott writes: “At 10.16pm the caller stated there was a large fight in progress. 

“The whole pub has erupted and the caller is really panicking.  Officers established a fight had taken place between two juveniles.

“Two assaults were recorded for two children that had injured themselves. One had a cut to his hand that needed treatment and the other had been hit over the head with a snooker cue.”

The officer reports hours before the incident a call was made from the landlady to police asking if children could be allowed into the pub to watch the final.

She was advised conditions of the licence prevented this.  PC Prescott said in the pub’s incident book an entry for the July 14 disorder featured only two words.

“The entry had ‘Accident’ and another word I can’t read but looks like ‘Aculte’,” the officer said.

“No details of those involved, medical treatment, police attendance.”

The police officer added: “I have worked with The Centurion over the years and feel their current conditions on their licence are more than satisfactory if adhered to. 

“But as you can see from this report, they are clearly not being adhered to.”

The panel has six options available to them:

• Do nothing
• Add new or remove/amend existing conditions on the licence
• Restrict or amend licensable activities or authorised timings of the activities on the licence
• Remove the designated premises supervisor (DPS)
• Suspend the licence for a period of up to three months
• Revoke the licence 

Council officers in their report to the panel say the licence holder has agreed to further conditions being added if the licence is allowed to continue, including a minimum of two licensed door supervisors on duty every Friday and Saturday night as well as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. 

Chelmsley Wood councillor Shesh Sheshabhatter says in the report he is inclined towards a “ban for some time”, while Ruth Tennant, the authority’s director of public health recommends the “suspension of the licence”.

But there have been nine responses to the council in support of the premises including from landlady Lisa Hayden.

“I would like to continue to be DPS here,” she wrote.

“It (the July 14 event) was a private event booked a month before as a homecoming party for someone in the army.

“We didn’t know this would be the date of the England final. We have removed the pool table to prevent things like this happening again. 

“Our licence states children can stay until 9pm but with a private booking they can stay until close as long as they are with an adult. Since having the pub I have made a positive turn around.”

Supporter Amanda Thomson said: “The manager of the Centurion handled the incident extremely well. 

“I have been drinking in that pub for 30 years and this has been the best it has been for many years.”

And Karen McCann added: “The manager has always made us feel comfortable and welcome.  It would be a real shame to see the management and pub go.”

A spokesperson for the Centurion’s owners Star pubs said: “We have been working closely with the police to demonstrate we take the safety of consumers and the staff in our pubs seriously and we’re committed to this thriving community pub.

“We have already put additional security measures in place, including the installation of door staff at weekends, in liaison with the police.

“We will abide by the outcome of the licensing hearing.”

West Midlands Police was contacted for comment.

The panel’s meeting is being held on Thursday, (October 17).