Dudley cocktail bar has licence suspended after complaints

Cocktails and Dreams, on Bilston Road, Sedgley, a former Indian restaurant, has also been banned from using a DJ.

Problems arose after the bar, which sits next door to a number of residential properties, continued to operate under the licence of the previous Indian restaurant. West Midlands Police told how parties and events, including a bouncy castle which towered over a neighbour’s garden, continued late into the night, despite a 12.30am licence stipulation.

The licence, which allows the bar to operate as a restaurant, did not include any type of regulated entertainment. But, police described an early morning bust-up that left one person in hospital after a late night party had spilled out onto the pavement.

A representative for West Midlands Police said: “The situation around the current premise licence was discussed at length with the owner, and how the responsible authorities did not feel it was fit for the purpose of that of a Cocktail Bar & Restaurant. On the 5th of August, there has been an incident just before 1am whereby a patron of these premises has been drinking outside, and an altercation has taken place.

“This has subsequently resulted in a serious assault taking place further along Bilston Street, whereby the injuries have resulted in a person receiving emergency surgery. The owner is currently using this as an outside drinking/entertainment area.

“It was agreed at the meeting that the rear gate would not be used for patron’s entry or egress, and only for deliveries and emergencies. Officers were able to see how close this rear area is to the neighbouring property and the disturbance patrons situated in these seats could cause.

“The owner agreed to only use half of the outside area and to remove the benches situated along the dividing fence. The owner failed to do this after West Midlands Police were sighted on a video in June whereby they had a bouncy castle and still had two picnic benches positioned up to the neighbour’s fence.”

At a meeting on Tuesday, a Dudley licensing committee decided to suspend the licence of Cocktails and Dreams for three months. The committee also decided to remove the designated premises supervisor, due to a concern about how much control they actually had at the premises.

The committee reduced the hours for the supply of alcohol to 3.30pm-11pm, Monday to Sunday, with the premises to close by 11.30pm. A number of stipulations, including no DJ or mixing decks to be used inside the premises and for windows and doors to remain closed while music is being played, were also added to the licence.