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Revealed: How much Preston Police spent on trying to get Macs bar shut down

Posted on - 25th January, 2016 - 7:00am | Author - | Posted in - Crime, Nightlife & Entertainment, Preston City Centre, Preston News
Macs bar remains closed

Macs bar has faced a closure order and a licensing review

Police spent thousands of pounds on trying to get Macs bar closed down in Preston.

The  Friargate bar, which has now overturned a licensing decision by Preston City Council, was alleged to have allowed underage drinking and not promoted a safe drinking culture.

Lancashire Police applied for a closure order in June last year, forcing Andrew Macdonald and the other directors of the bar to close.

Figures revealed under the Freedom of Information Act to Blog Preston show how the police have spent £9,000 in legal fees during the subsequent hearings and appeal hearings.

The cost of the hearings in June, where Macs bar eventually overturned the closure order, was £8,400 for two days work.

Paperwork done by solicitors on behalf of the police then added a further £600 through to September.

Lancashire Police said they could not estimate how much staff time had been spent or how much had been spent on attending the two day licensing hearing at the Town Hall in July where the police had legal representation.

Last week Macs bar, Preston City Council and Lancashire Police came to an agreement after a licensing sub-committee hearing in July had decided to strip Macs of its licence.

The bar reopened in late July and decided in August to lodge an appeal against the decision.

Sergeant Tony Bushell, of the police licensing team, said: “As a result of the review, the operators have changed the management of the premises and implemented new operating procedures.

“We have maintained close communication with the premises since July and as such are now satisfied that the premises is promoting the licensing objectives.

“In light of this we have, in consultation with the operators and Preston City Council, imposed a number of conditions on the licence which going forward will assist in the operation of the premises.”

Andrew Macdonald said: “It’s safe to say it was an awful year and financially screwed me and my company, but at the end of it all I’m still standing and so is my club!”

What do you think of the cost of the licensing process and what the police spent? Let us know your views in the comments below

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