The Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee of Durham County Council met to consider an application for a summary licence review of the Aviator Gin Bar. The application was made by Durham Constabulary following a serious incident at the premises.

Application for a Summary Licence Review - Aviator Gin Bar

The sub-committee was scheduled to discuss an application for a summary licence review for the Aviator Gin Bar, located at Unit 18, Northfield Way, Aycliffe Business Park. The application for the review was made by Licensing Sergeant Caroline Dickenson on behalf of the Chief Officer of Police for the Durham Constabulary, and was prompted by an incident that took place on Wednesday 16 July 2025 at 22:55hrs.

According to the application for review, a patron of the bar stabbed two people. Sgt Dickenson stated that the police were initially directed to the wrong location by Jacob Kennedy, but CCTV footage later revealed that the incident occurred outside the Aviator Gin Bar. The CCTV also allegedly showed the offender inside the venue prior to the stabbing, suggesting he may have been armed while on the premises. The application claims that the offender had been removed from the premises after throwing a glass at someone, and then loitered outside until the stabbing took place. Sgt Dickenson noted that police were not contacted at any point.

The application also alleges that the venue's beer garden extends onto a public road, with patrons frequently standing on the road with drinks. Sgt Dickenson stated that door staff did not usher people back into the beer garden.

Sgt Dickenson's application stated that CCTV footage showed the stabbing being witnessed by the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)/Premises Licence Holder (PLH), door staff, the owner of the bar, and several patrons, none of whom contacted the police. The application further claims that one of the victims returned to the bar after being stabbed and showed the wound to various people, including the licensee, who also did not call the police.

According to the application, CCTV footage also captured items being thrown into the beer garden, with the owner of the bar and patrons ducking to avoid them, but no action was taken by the bar. Sgt Dickenson stated that the DPS was seen interfering with the crime scene, and that a member of staff poured two cups of water and gave them to a male who proceeded to clean the crime scene.

Sgt Dickenson stated that the police were only made aware of the incident by a member of the public, which she said is not what we expect from a licensee who is required to uphold the licensing objectives.

A certificate from a Superintendent in Durham Constabulary was included in the report pack, stating that in their opinion, the premises are associated with both serious crime and serious disorder. The Superintendent stated that a standard review of the premises licence was not appropriate because there are no policies and procedures in place to safeguard the public and I would question how responsible the venue are being having a single member of bar staff on. The Superintendent also expressed being appalled by the actions of the designated premise supervisor who has obstructed police with their enquiries, tampered with the crime scene and gave misleading information to attending officers which has frustrated the enquiries and resulted in an unnecessary scene preservation.

The Superintendent recommended immediate action via a summary review to prevent further serious incidents, seeking the removal of the DPS and the suspension of the premises licence while criminal investigations are ongoing.