October 4, 2019 1.23 pm This story is over 53 months old

Spalding pub reviewed over “regular use of cocaine”

Police have told councillors the pub failed to comply with conditions on its licence
The Black Swan, in Spalding.

A Spalding pub faces losing its licence following allegations from Lincolnshire Police over the “regular use of cocaine” and other controlled drugs in the premises.

The force has asked South Holland District Council to revoke the licence of The Black Swan, on New Road, next Thursday.

The premises licence holder is John Parr, while the designated premises supervisor is Stuart Neil Adams. Sean Moyses is the director of The Black Swan SPalding2 Ltd, which is registered at the premises.

In documents before the authority, Lincolnshire Police said it first intervened in 2011, after receiving intelligence of drug activity on the premises, and has made repeated visits in relation to the issue over a number of years.

A review in July 2018, allowed the pub to keep its licence but added a number of conditions, however, police say these have not been complied with.

The documents include readings taken in July which found cocaine in locations including the toilets, tables, the snooker table, the bar itself and on a bandit machine.

A small trace of cocaine was also found when Mr Adams was swabbed for drugs in July, though police said this “could be put down to working in an environment with higher cocaine readings”.

The force also has concerns about the lack of a drugs policy, training, incident and CCTV records and door staff at peak times.

The force says it also has evidence which it will only reveal on the day of the review.

“The Black Swan has had ample time and opportunity to resolve the drug issues at the pub and to become compliant with the conditions on the premises licence,” said documents.

“The premise licence holder and designated premises supervisor have failed to ensure licensing objectives are promoted and Lincolnshire Police believe serious consideration should be given to revocation of the premises licence.”

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