The Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee of County Durham Council convened to consider an application for a summary licence review. The application was made in relation to Quinns Inn in Spennymoor, and the report pack included a briefing paper on the matter. Councillors Steven Franklin, Tim Robson and Robbie Rodiss were scheduled to be in attendance.

Application for Summary Licence Review - Quinns Inn, 66 High Street, Spennymoor

The sub-committee were scheduled to discuss an application for a summary review of the premises licence for Quinns Inn, submitted by Durham Constabulary under section 53A of the Licensing Act 2003¹. The application was prompted by an incident on 22 November 2025, where officers were called to the pub after a report of an unconscious male with a cut to the eyebrow. According to the application form included in the Public Reports Pack, Sergeant Caroline Dickenson stated that the injured male was later found to have life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital for emergency surgery.

Sergeant Caroline Dickenson's application stated:

Footage shows an area just outside of the fire exit door where several persons are standing around. The victim is seen to enter this area and has an altercation with one of the suspects.

This suspect appears to punch the victim in the face and then they enter inside the pub through the fire exit door.

There is another camera in the pub showing the area inside of the fire exit door.

The victim is seen to fall or be pushed onto the ground by the suspect and possible punched further on the ground. There is a second suspect who appears to kick the victim while on the ground.

Door staff are present whilst this assault is taking place so are fully aware what has occurred within the premises. The victim is laid on the floor of the pub and after several minutes the victim is finally picked up off the floor by door staff and helped outside.

There was blood where victim was lying which has been mopped by a member of staff who is seen to pick up what looks like a blood-stained paper towel from the floor. The mop and paper towel were disposed of in a public bin.

The application also notes that the venue allegedly maintained that the incident did not happen at the venue, and that a member of door staff who witnessed the fight had refused to provide a statement.

As a result of the application, the sub-committee were asked to consider taking interim steps in relation to the premises licence, pending a full review. The available interim steps included:

• Modification of the conditions of the premises licence
• Exclusion of the sale of alcohol by retail from the scope of the licence
• Removal of the designated premises supervisor[^3] from the licence
• Suspension of the licence

The premises licence holder is Mrs Susan Marie Ellis, who is also the designated premises supervisor.

The report pack included guidance on summary reviews under the Licensing Act 2003, and a copy of the premises licence for Quinns Inn. The licence authorises the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises only, and permits live and recorded music.