THE first East Lancashire pub closed for failing to observe coronavirus rules could lose its licence to sell alcohol next week over alleged drug-dealing concerns.

The Duke of Wellington in Blackburn Road, Great Harwood, was ordered to shut for breaching Covid-19 guidelines on Friday August 14.

The order, the first of its kind in the county, followed a joint operation between the county council, the police and licensing officers at Hyndburn Council.

Now its licence is up for review at a meeting on Wednesday.

The police have objected to the continuation of the licence, saying the pub managers allow drug dealing and drug-taking on the premises.

Their application will be heard at Hyndburn Council’s licensing committee meeting.

A report to councillors said: “The ground for the review is that the licensing objective relating to the prevention of crime and disorder is not being upheld.

“The police have stated that there is evidence and information available to indicate that the premises are being openly used to both take and supply drugs.

“The police state that this is occurring with the full knowledge of those who are supposed to be running the premises.

“In the review application the police have included numerous incident logs and intelligence report relating to drugs at the premises and various reports in relation to crime and disorder.

“The police have stated that they have serious concerns in relation to the management of the premises.

“The police also have concerns that the premises licence holder is not complying with the coronavirus regulations.”

The committee has powers to to revoke the licence; to suspend the licence for up to three months; to modify the conditions of the licence; or to remove the designated premises supervisor.

Sean Taylor, the owner of The Duke of Wellington, disputes the police case and tells the committee claims that ‘criminal associates have been involved with the running of the pub for some years and nothing has changed’ are untrue.

He said in a statement: “A lot has changed since 2017 at The Duke of Wellington.

“To imply that I now have been involved in the supply of drugs from the pub is not only offensive and degrading but available for the whole internet to see and judge me and my establishment with no enquiries or follow up or arrests.”

Mr Taylor accuses the police of trying to ‘overlook the great changes I have made and close the business for good’.

He adds he and new manager, Patrick Brizio, who took over as landlord with his wife Dawn in September, ‘have turned this pub around’ and were ‘bringing the Duke of Wellington back to its former glory’.

“Mr Taylor urges the committee to modify the conditions of the licence, which also permits live and recorded music on the premises and late night refreshment. He denies allegations the pub has held lockdown ‘lock-ins’.”

Mr Brizio, who earlier this week said the notice to close the Duke of Wellington for at least a week for breach of coronavirus social distancing rules was ‘a bit of a witch hunt’ had no comment to make.

Hyndburn Council leader Cllr Miles Parkinson said “I cannot comment on quasi-judicial proceedings.”

The pub’s closure was the first over a few days of enforcement action by councils and police. On Monday evening, Waheed’s restaurant and Roberto’s bistro in Blackburn were also closed for up to a month for coronavirus breaches. The closures are reviewed every seven days.