ESSEX Police have asked for a village pub's licence to be reviewed by Colchester Council, meaning it could be forced to close for good.

A hearing to decide whether The Anchor, in Station Road, Tiptree, can keep its licence will take place in front of the authority's licensing sub-committee on Tuesday.

The move has been prompted due to a number of Covid restriction breaches at the pub.

Essex Police’s licensing officer Alan Beckett has laid bare why the review has been launched in a report set to go before the committee.

He describes a number of incidents at the premises, starting on July 11.

During a routine visit Essex Police found the Premises Licence was not displayed, an licensee Anthony Parker was given a warning re this.

Officers attended the pub again on August 1.

The report says "Approximately 21.30 hours on Saturday, August 1, police and council officers attended the venue and it was noted that of the about 70 customers present both inside and outside of the venue were not social distancing.

"The next day a Community Protection Warning was issued by police in response to the Covid breach.

"A warning letter from Public Health England was served a few days later as was a warning letter from the Police Licensing Officer.

"It transpired during this visit on August 1 Mr Parker had been operating the pub without a Covid specific risk assessment in place and this again is contrary to the Covid regulations."

The breach was remedied but officers were again called to the pub on December 18.

The report says officers found the "doors locked, the curtains/blinds down but with sounds described as a 'party atmosphere' inside".

It adds: "That officer noted that a number of the persons inside had been drinking and described some as worse than others and also noted a lack of food service.

"Another officer viewed the venues CCTV in the presence of Mr Parker and observed that several persons were singing and dancing in the bar area (neither permitted under the regulations) and none appeared to be wearing masks while stood up.

A closure notice was issued on December 21.

But two days later, the first time the venue was allowed to reopen on December 23, police again visited the venue and noted two groups from different households on one table.

Read more:

Essex Police have requested the subcommittee revoke the premises licence.

Mr Beckett's report adds: "This review has been applied for because the Chief Officer of police considers that on a number of occasions since July 2020 the crime and disorder objective has been undermined by the licence holder in his management of the licensed premises.

"The premises management has been the recipient of several warning letters, a community protection warning and a closure order.

"Despite these it is alleged that the premises management permitted and committed criminal offences relating to breached of the various coronavirus regulations.

"Breaches of the criminal law regarding the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003 are also alleged to have taken place including non-display of the premises licence and the sale of alcohol to intoxicated persons and that drunken persons have been permitted to remain on the premises contrary to legislation.

"Given the designated premises supervisor is also the premises licence holder and operator of the venue, and previous warnings and notices have been ignored, it is the Chief Officer's belief that these criminal acts are such that only revocation of the premises licence following a review is sufficient to promote the licensing objectives."

An application has been submitted to transfer the licence to Kaye Murphy, but Essex Police have objected.

A separate hearing will be held.

The sub-committee will make a decision on Tuesday.