The premises licence for The Chequers Hotel in Holbeach has been revoked by South Holland District Council.
A panel holding a hearing on Thursday (Jan 19), which was presented with evidence of fraud and smuggling, came to the conclusion that “those running the premises have little or no regard for the authorities”.
The premises licence has been held by The Chequers Hotel Ltd since June 2009. Neither of the directors of the company – Mark and Chony Andrews – attended the hearing.
It was held at the district council’s offices in Spalding in front of a three-man panel of councillors Angela Harrison, Anthony Casson and Angela Newton. Also in attendance were three council officers, two Lincolnshire police officers from the alcohol licensing team and a solicitor to advise the panel.
The decision notice said: “The panel determined the written and verbal evidence presented by all parties, in arriving at this determination
“No representative of the premises licence holder attended the hearing. The panel took account of the explanations give to the police on behalf of the premises licence holder. However, on the balance of probabilities it did not appear likely that any goods, either tobacco or alcohol, were solely for the personal use of Mr Andrews.
“The premises had been subject to a previous review and therefore the failure to comply with the conditions of the licence was all the more surprising. Of particular concern is the fact that on 17 August 2016 there were breaches of the premises licence and these had not been rectified when the police revisited in September and problems with breaches were just as evident when the authorities attended the premises on 30 November 2016.
“The panel believe that those running the premises have little or no regard for the authorities and no intention of complying in full with the Licensing Act and the conditions upon the licence.
“there are no conditions that could be offered that would satisfy the panel that it would be appropriate to promote the licensing objectives by the imposition of licensing conditions.
“Having considered the steps that are appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives, we believe the only option is to revoke the licence.”
District councillor and town resident Francis Biggadike, who was unhappy last year with the image portrayed by the High Street premises displaying secondhand goods for sale on its frontage (pictured), hopes that the licence decision will mark a fresh start for the troubled hotel.
He said: “I’d like to see something positive done with it but the problem is that a place like that needs a tremendous amount of money spending on it.
“The problem in some ways is the size of it – it’s an enormous place that has a nice ballroom but where is the business prospect for any financial viability.
“Holbeach is an in-between – it’s not a big enough place to attract a large chain or a top class hotel. What tourists there are go by on the A17.
“It would be nice to hear some positive suggestions as to what can be done with it.”
The revocation of the premises licence will come into effect if no appeal is lodged during a 21-day period.
