Pub closed down after mass brawl is caught on CCTV

A PUB plagued by violence and antisocial behaviour has been closed down after a mass brawl was caught on security cameras during a stakeout by council officials.

The Westfield Bar in Westfield Road, Gorgie, has had its licence suspended for six months by the city's licensing board in the wake of a police report.

The brawl outside the bar showed up to 20 pubgoers, mostly men, punching and kicking one another while one person was struck with a bottle.

A council mobile CCTV vehicle had been parked opposite the premises to monitor the bar following a string of complaints from residents in Westfield Road.

The footage was captured on October 22 last year between midnight and 12.30am.

Police chiefs also called on board members to close the pub's doors after a catalogue of violent incidents were linked to it over the course of a year, including a stabbing outside on October 12.

Evidence was provided by police, as well as from licensing standards officers and the council's environmental wardens.

The board ruled that licensee Victoria Glanville, of Hutchison Crossway, was "no longer a fit and proper person to hold a licence" during Tuesday's meeting which saw the six-month ban imposed.

Ms Glanville now has 14 days to appeal the decision and it can be reopened until the appeal process is completed.

Local residents have claimed that the pub has been a "match-day haunt of choice" for football casuals linked to Hearts. Others said drunks from the bar tried to break into their common stairs.

Local councillor Eric Milligan said: "If there's reports of problems from neighbours and the police have been alerted to incidents, then questions have to be asked about the way the pub is being run.

"The licensing board is right that, while we take a liberal approach on licensing hours, the pubs have a responsibility for what goes on there."

Councillor Marjorie Thomas, convener of the licensing board, said: "It's clear there has been significant disorder and antisocial behaviour connected with this premises. The board was unanimous in its decision to suspend the licence for six months.

"Suspending a licence is not a decision which the board takes lightly, but in view of the overwhelming evidence and public concern over mismanagement, we felt this was the only appropriate course of action."

A police spokesman said officers had attended "a number of incidents" at the pub over the past year. He said: "Many involved disorder and violence, and raised concern over the general management of the establishment.

"A number of attempts were made to resolve difficulties at the premises and this unfortunately proved unsuccessful."

Ms Glanville and Thomas Consultants Ltd, a firm listed as another licensee of the premises, could not be reached for comment.