Police officers and fire safety officers have visited China House

Updated: The licensing hearing is now set to take place on Tuesday 7 January after the owner of China House asked for more time to prepare for the hearing

A troubled Chinese restaurant and karaoke bar could lose its licence.

China House on Aqueduct Street is being hauled before councillors to have its licence reviewed.

Lancashire Police triggered the review after they found alcohol being sold and consumed in China House with no supervisor present.

Sergeant John Lovick, the man responsible for police licensing in Preston, submitted a report to councillors.

He writes how in October 2013 a police officer attended the restaurant to find alcohol scattered on tables but licence holder Wendy Yunqin was not present.

The officer went up to the top floor to find beds and settees in them, and found Chinese students were staying there until they found accommodation.

Sergeant Lovick writes: “Despite the amount of time spent by agencies on enforcement activity and education, the premise remains an issue to all concerned and therefore wish for the Licensing Committee to make a decision on how much longer agencies should have to work with thise premise when it, and its owners, are clearly unable to operate safely and within the law.”

China House has a history of trouble with the authorities, with the police requesting several licence reviews and closing the premises on a number of occasions.

Reports submitted to the licensing sub-comittee show issues at the former Lime Kiln pub since it became a Chinese restaurant in 2008.

In 2009 the premises were closed as police suspected the upstairs rooms were being used as a brothel, a pole was in one room and toilet roll placed within all the others.

China House can currently operate until 2.30am seven days a week, which has led to complaints from local residents about the karaoke being performed at the venue.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue service have also raised concerns about the lack of fire safety provisions at the restaurant. Reports show how visits by fire officers have found fire doors wedged open and smoke alarms covered over.

Plus reports show an “accident waiting to happen” inside the venue, with propane cycliners not securely fastened and evidence of previous electrical fires in the restaurant.

China House’s licence will be reviewed at a hearing of the licensing sub-committee at the Town Hall on Friday 3 January from 10am.

You can read the full committee documents on the council website