A license review hearing will take place on Monday 6 February, after Bianco in Friargate was served with a closure order over serious reports of criminal behaviour and the owner and staff’s unwillingness to co-operate with the police in the last 12 months.
The takeaway currently holds a Premises Licence to permit the activity of Late-Night Refreshment from Monday to Sunday between 11pm and 5pm.
Since becoming a licensed premises in September 2021, Lancashire Constabulary have received 19 reports of criminal behaviour related to the Friargate eatery.
On Thursday 22 December, 2022, the police arrested a staff member on suspicion of Grievous Bodily Harm with intent, shortly followed by a closure order this year.
Read more: Friargate takeaway Bianco served with two-month closure order
In a recent report to the Council, PC Stephen Connolly, said what happened when the police received a report from a member of the public around 4am:
“The complainant advised that one of their friends had been assaulted with a machete at the premises and was whacking their friend over the head with it.
“Officers attended and located a male with quite a large cut on his head and described the male as having lost quite a lot of blood.
“CCTV at the premises was reviewed and officers describe it as a staff member at the premises held a broom in their hand and is seen hitting the victim with it.”
Read more: ‘Dangerous’ Preston man who raped 75-year-old woman is jailed
On Tuesday 10 January, PC Stephen Connolly, made a statement on behalf of Lancashire Constabulary to Preston City Council’s Sub-Committee for the revocation of the Late-night Refreshment License:
“The Premises Licence Holder and staff at BIANCO have proven over the last twelve months that they are unwilling to work with the authorities and have also come to the attention of Lancashire Constabulary for repeatedly reported acts of violence towards members of the public which has seen numerous criminal investigations conducted.
“BIANCO is a source of criminality within Preston and is clearly having a negative impact on the Licensing Objective of Crime & Disorder. I respectfully request that revocation of the Late Night Refreshment Licence is taken by the Sub-Committee.”
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines