A Caerphilly town pub has had its licence conditions reviewed after evidence of drug use and disrepair was found at the premises.
The Wheatsheaf Hotel on Market Street was visited by the authorities in March after two serious assaults last year.
The visit, which involved Caerphilly County Borough Council, Gwent Police and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, found a number of issues which gave cause for concern.
There was evidence of drug use, patrons who were intoxicated and the building was in such disrepair that disrepair that a prohibition was placed against using the upper floor.
Following the visit Gwent Police applied to Caerphilly council to review the licence conditions and the licence holder surrendered the licence after mismanagement was flagged up.
At a meeting on July 6, the council’s licensing and gambling sub committee put harsher conditions on the new licence.
These include ensuring CCTV is used correctly, preventing drugs being taken into the pub and limiting the hours that children can be on the premises.
Night Time Economy Officer, PC Adam Lang, said: “The results of the multi-agency visit in March this year were very concerning. Efforts were made to work with the license holder of the premises.
“However, we were left with no other option than to take the premises to review. The licence holder has now left the premises, and we are working with the owner to ensure that appropriate measures are in place to meet the new licensing requirements.
“The majority of licensed premises in the area are well run, and we will continue to work with the licensing trade to make sure premises are safe for customers.”
Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services, Cllr Nigel George, said: “The council is required to carry out its licensing function in order to ensure that four key licensing objectives are adhered to.
“During the course of the multi-agency investigations at the Wheatsheaf Hotel, it became apparent that three of these four licensing conditions, namely the prevention of crime and disorder, ensuring public safety and the prevention of public nuisance were being undermined at the premises.”
And another one bites the dust.