A TOWN centre bar in Middlewich has been refused a late licence due to concerns about crime, disorder and public nuisance.

Man Wai Lee requested a licence from Cheshire East Council to play music and supply alcohol at Bar 33 in Wheelock Street until 2am.

But the application caused an outcry in the community and was fought by the police.

Bar 33, formerly Cassie’s, previously had a late licence between April 2009 and January 2010. However there were a number of violent incidents during this time and the licence was surrendered.

In a report for the council, David Smethurst, police licencing officer, said that one incident in May 2009 involved 40 men fighting outside the venue.

On another night in December 2009, a 20-year-old girl suffered whiplash because her hair was pulled so violently.

Mr Smethurst said: “A review of criminal damage and disorder involving fighting and assaults in Wheelock Street shows that the number of incidents is significantly higher during those periods when Bar 33, formerly known as Cassie’s, was operating.

“When the same operators ran these premises in this way previously it undermined the crime and disorder, public nuisance and prevention of children from harm licencing objectives.

“There seems to be nothing to differentiate its intended use from how it ran previously.”

Strong objections were also made by nearby residents, particularly in Wallcroft Gardens.

One said: “In its previous incarnation as Cassie’s Lounge it caused me many many months of misery.

“The worst of this was their extremely loud music, the bass vibrated through my building. I couldn’t sleep, earplugs couldn’t block out the noise.

“When the music stopped there would be further huge noise from people yelling in the street and frequently this also included fighting and sometimes breaking windows.

“It was very common to have police and ambulances arriving.”

A representation was also made by Sarah Edge, of Environmental Health, who said that the bar was issued with a Noise Nuisance Abatement Notice when it previously had a late licence.

“We have no reason to believe the business will be managed any differently this time,” she added.

Sgt Penny Jones, of Middlewich police, has applauded the licencing committee’s decision.

She said: “Bar 33 was formerly known as Cassie’s Bar, voluntarily closed down in January 2010 following numerous incidents of public order and assaults and after failing a test purchasing operation, organised by Middlewich neighbourhood policing team in relation to the sale of alcohol to persons under the age of 18 years.

“Following the closure of the premises the number of incidents of public order and assaults taking in place in Wheelock Street subsided.”

Mr Wai Lee’s son Simon, who runs the venue, said he did not wish to comment.

================================== BAR 33, formerly Cassie’s, previously had a late licence for music and alcohol, between April 2009 and January 2010.

During that time, David Smethurst, police licencing officer, said officers had to respond to the following incidents:

- May 2 2009 – Eight men had a fight at the bar before smashing a window at a nearby shop with a fire extinguisher. Another man was punched and the ground floor window at the Alhambra restaurant was shattered.

- May 24 2009 – There were reports of 40 men fighting outside Bar 33.

Mr Smethurst said: “There was lots of blood and an ambulance requested. The police operator could hear screaming in the background.”

Numerous police patrols attended and three men were arrested.

- June 26 2009 – Two women in their early 20s were assaulted by being punched and pulled to the floor by their hair.

A 60-year-old man who attempted to intervene was assaulted by being kicked.

- July 19 2009 – A man was elbowed in the face while in the toilets at Bar 33 causing his nose and lip to bleed and chipping one of his teeth.

He asks a staff member to call the police but instead he is expelled from the premises.

- December 6 2009 - A 20-year-old woman suffers whiplash and an injury to her neck because her hair is pulled so violently

- January 1 2010 – A 24-year-old woman outside Bar 33 is punched in the face by an unknown man