A DECISION is to be made over the granting of an alcohol licence for a Spennymoor pub under investigation for alleged unauthorised sales of booze.

The Olive Grove, on Half Moon Lane, is being investigated over allegations it continued to sell alcohol after its proprietor was informed its licence had lapsed.

Durham County Council’s licensing enforcement team leader, Laura Cloney, has submitted representations against the granting of the licence, which will go before the statutory licensing sub-committee today (Tuesday, August 22).

In the document she said The Olive Grove had previously held a licence but “unbeknown to the council” it had lapsed in August 2015 when the company holding it dissolved.

Ms Cloney said the situation came to light in June this year when proprietor Stephen Metcalfe was informed.

On the same day she said Mr Metcalfe called the authority and confirmed receipt of the information before submitting a temporary event notice, to allow him to trade lawfully.

She added he also allegedly “instructed bar staff to continue selling alcohol after being advised there was no authorisation in place to do so”.

Ms Cloney makes reference to a phone call from a licensing officer made to Mr Metcalfe on June 29 in which the officer was informed only soft drinks were being served. She said: “This was despite later confirmation that alcohol was still being served at the premises.”

“Mr Metcalfe has shown scant regard for the provisions of licensing legislation.

“This raises significant concerns about his honesty, integrity as a licence holder and his ability to comply with licensing law in the future. Evidence indicates he has wilfully failed to comply with licensing legislation and has also instructed others to act outside the provisions of the necessary authorisations.”

During a consultation period the applicant, Durham Police, and the Local Safeguarding Children Board agreed on licence conditions.

Mr Metcalfe was last month granted a temporary event notice. He then told the hearing that during the allegation period he either by “mistake” or “misinformation”, believed he could sell alcohol after 6pm.