The Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee convened to consider an application for a summary licence review of CroBar at 14 Horsemarket, Barnard Castle. The review was initiated following a certificate issued by a senior police officer, asserting the premises' association with serious crime. Councillors T Robson, J Blakey, L Brown and M Burnard were scheduled to attend the meeting.

CroBar Licence Review

The sub-committee was to discuss a summary review application received from Durham Constabulary on 23 September 2025, concerning CroBar, 14 Horsemarket, Barnard Castle. The application was made under Section 53 A and B of the Licensing Act 2003, following a certificate issued by Superintendent Neal Bickford, who believed that the premises are associated with serious crime.

Sergeant Caroline Dickenson of Durham Constabulary submitted the application for the review, citing a serious assault that occurred at the Cro Bar in the early hours of Sunday, 13 September 2025. The victim reportedly sustained injuries consistent with a Section 18 assault¹, allegedly inflicted by a member of the door staff.

According to the application, the designated premises supervisor (DPS), Mr Scott Philip Docherty, allegedly failed to provide CCTV footage of the incident when initially requested and claimed to have no knowledge of it. However, CCTV footage later obtained reportedly showed the DPS discussing the incident with door staff and other members of staff. The application also noted that the incident book did not contain a record of the victim being ejected from the premises.

The police requested an immediate suspension of the premises licence and removal of the DPS pending a full review hearing.

The report pack included the following information for the sub-committee members:

• The premises licence authorises live music, recorded music, performances of dance, late night refreshment and the sale of alcohol (on and off the premises) until 4.00am.
• Tees Valley Taverns Limited is the premises licence holder, with Mr Roy Sutton named as the director of the company.
• Mr Scott Philip Docherty was named as DPS on 28 August 2024.

The sub-committee was asked to consider taking interim steps in relation to the premises licence, including:

• Modifying the conditions of the premises licence.
• Excluding the sale of alcohol by retail from the scope of the licence.
• Removing the designated premises supervisor from the licence.
• Suspending the licence.

A full review of the premises licence was scheduled to take place within 28 days of the summary review application being received.