ST HELENS Council's Licensing Sub-Committee will decide whether a bar that has seen violence flare in recent weeks can continue to operate.

Police have applied to have the licence of Maloney's in St Helens town centre reviewed of a bar where ugly scenes of violence flared last month.

Senior officers have submitted the application to St Helens Council for a summary review of the premises licence at the venue, on Ormskirk Street, St Helens. 

It has been sent to the council in accordance with Section 53A of the Licensing Act 2003 with the grounds for the review cited as being "based on the premises undermining the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder".

A public notice was drawn up in relation to this on May 23, the same day that violence had flared in the bar during the early hours. A printed notice has been put up on the bar's windows.

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Last month the Star reported how a man was glassed and another kicked in the face in separate assaults in the bar.

Police issued CCTV images of three men who could have information that may assist with their investigation.

Shortly after 2.30am on Thursday, May 23, officers were alerted by a member of the public that a man had been assaulted at Maloney’s bar.

Officers saw a man with a head and eye injury. He had been struck in the face with a glass.

Police established that a second incident had happened that night where a man was dragged to the floor and kicked in the face.

A member of security staff tried to help but he was punched in the chin which knocked him unconscious. The second victim in this assault declined to make a formal complaint, police said.

When asked for an update on the investigation, a Merseyside Police spokesman said today (Tuesday, June 4) that the investigation into the assaults remain ongoing, and no arrests have yet been made in connection with them.

Following the attacks, Detective Inspector Richard Shillito said: “Both assaults were very nasty attacks, especially the man who was glassed in the face and he is still in hospital to have surgery to his eye.

“People should be able to enjoy a night out without being subjected to any kind of violence or fear of being assaulted."

Police have taken strong action against bars where there have been concerns over violent crime.

At St Helens town hall today, Thursday, councillors on the Licensing Sub-Committee will hear representations before making a decision.

The Sub-Licensing committee will meet at the town hall todayThe committee will meet at the town hall today (Image: St Helens Star)

Options available to the committee include to modify the conditions of the premises licence; exclude a licensable activity from the scope of the licence; remove the designated premises supervisor; suspend the licence for three months; or to revoke the licence.

In recent years Mollie's bar and The Duke, on Duke Street both lost licences and had to close following submissions by police.