Grangemouth's Ellwyn Bar shut down over crime and 'chaotic management'

A Grangemouth pub will be closed for five months as its licence was suspended after reports of crime and disorder and breaches of Covid rules.
The Ellwyn Bar.The Ellwyn Bar.
The Ellwyn Bar.

In addition to the suspension, The Ellwyn Bar, on Newlands Road, will also have a total of 17 conditions attached to its licence.

The board had heard at a previous meeting on December 3 that the management of the pub was “chaotic” and agreed to Police Scotland’s request for a review.

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They also saw CCTV footage taken by the council's Environmental Health team from September of customers crowded round a pool table, a man dropping his trousers and a fight breaking out.

On Wednesday they gave their final decision to owner Amran Ali, who leases the pub to tenants but is ultimately responsible as the premises’ licence holder.

Convener Niall Coleman said: “The suspension of the licence for five months reflects the seriousness of what has happened.

“We have breaches of crime and disorder and equally seriously in this time we have breaches of covid regulations which have not only an impact on patrons at the Ellwyn but on wider society and in fact every single person in Falkirk district as it can input into the tier level we are in.”

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The conditions attempt to address some of the problems raised by Police Scotland and the licensing standards officers.

They include all staff being trained to personal licence holder standard; ensuring that trained first aiders are on hand; and making sure that door stewards are on duty at specified times.

Councillor John McLuckie argued that the licence should be suspended for a shorter time of three months but, following a vote, the five-month suspension was agreed.

Chief Inspector Chris Stewart, Police Scotland’s Area Commander for Falkirk, said: "Following a number of concerns reported to police over the past year regarding the practices at this licensed premises, officers carried out a number of enquiries, in cooperation with our partners at Falkirk Council Licensing.

"As a result of that investigation, we note the decision of the Board to suspend the premises' licence, and will continue to engage with our partners to address any future concerns."