From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Joe Crossley, 29 January 2024.

Landlord of Ship Inn in Gillingham removed from pub following licence review.

A publican has lost his licence after three police officers were assaulted and traces of cocaine were found on the bar.

But the franchise behind the Ship Inn in Gillingham says Nathaniel Reagon-Welch will remain the leaseholder of the scandal-hit venue.

The pub's licence was under review by Medway Council after a police operation ended in five regular customers being arrested.

The panel said it was “concerned” that despite the experience Nathaniel had in running a pub, he had “continually and deliberately acted contrary to the licensing objectives”.

These aims are the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety and the prevention of public nuisance.

In a hearing, Mr Reagon-Welch said he feared he would lose his home and be in £9,000 worth of debt if he lost the licence to the franchise owners Stars and Bars.

But a spokeswoman for the company said while it “does not discuss our business relationships with licensees more widely” she confirmed he would remain the leaseholder despite being removed as the designated premises supervisor (DPS).

Members of The Zac Schulze Gang with Ship Inn owners Charlotte Robinson and Nathaniel Reagon-Welch (second right). Picture: Nathaniel Reagon-Welch.

She continued: “We are disappointed with the outcome of the recent licensing committee hearing.

“Our tenant has already implemented many of the conditions that were imposed by the committee, prior to the actual hearing, in order to improve the way the pub is managed.

“Regarding the removal of the DPS and the imposition of certain licence conditions, we will take time to consider our options and consult with all relevant parties with a view to agreeing on a possible way forward.”

The police had called for the review after three officers were assaulted in a fight outside the pub during a night-time economy operation in the area on Friday, November 17.

Five people were arrested on assault, drug and criminal damage charges. Some of the suspects are currently on bail with investigations still ongoing.

A drug test at the premises showed the presence of cocaine on the bar top, pool table and in the male and female toilets.

PC Daniel Hunt described the events of that night as the "worst reaction" to a police operation had seen in his six years in his role as licensing officer.

It was a trigger for the review as it followed several other licence breaches including lock-ins past operating hours, customers being allowed to pour their own drinks and crime and disorder.

Kent Police said it had “no faith in the ability of the current management to effect change at the premises”.

Attempts were made between Kent Police and Stars and Bars to negotiate on conditions before it was taken to review.

Both parties agreed on having door supervisors and a dress code on Fridays and Saturdays from 8pm which the owners believe would deter drug use.

However, the franchise did not agree to reducing hours, limiting music events and the removal of Nathaniel as the DPS.

During the hearing at Medway Council's HQ in Gunwharf, George Domleo, solicitor for Stars and Bars, argued the good relationship Nathaniel and his partner Charlotte Robinson had with the police and that they were “personable and approachable” should be recognised by the panel.

He added that while Nathaniel had taken his eye off the ball by working two other jobs he had now quit to solely focus on the pub and should be given a second chance, stating that this was the first such review of the pub.

Nathaniel and Charlotte had been running the venue since 2016 and had also personally invested £50,000 in refurbishments.

Mr Domleo also explained the people involved in the incident were barred and staff training had been put in place since the arrests.

This was not enough to sway the panel who found that Nathaniel had failed to be honest with the police who were concerned about a prior failure to provide CCTV as well as failing to meet the licensing objectives.

It decided to remove Nathaniel as the DPS and he be replaced by someone who has no connection with the current staff and the owners themselves.

The panel said it “did not have confidence that the continuation of the current DPS would promote the licensing objectives”.

Conditions have been put in place to ensure the venue meets licencing objectives including improved CCTV, staff training, a written drugs policy, incident log, door supervision on Friday and Saturday nights, Challenge 25 policy and one of the personal licence holders will be on site while alcohol is sold – all of which had been agreed upon by Nathaniel.