The Licensing Sub Committee 2 (Licensing Act 2003 and Gambling Act 2005) is scheduled to convene to address an application for the review of a premises licence. This relates to The Railway Inn, Harwood Street, West Bromwich, B70 9JD, following an expedited review application. The sub-committee will consider the application and determine the appropriate steps to take.

Review of The Railway Inn's Premises Licence

The primary focus of the meeting is to consider an application for the review of the premises licence for The Railway Inn, Harwood Street, West Bromwich, B70 9JD. The application for an expedited review was made under section 53A of the Licensing Act 2003.

The review was initiated following an application by West Midlands Police, with Chief Superintendent Kim Madill certifying that the premises are associated with serious crime and serious disorder. According to the report pack, on 13 September 2025, police received a report from West Midlands Met Hospital regarding a male who had self-presented with a stab wound. It was determined that the male had been at The Railway Inn, and the stabbing occurred outside the premises after an altercation involving patrons. As a result, officers are investigating an offence of wounding with intent under Section 18 of the Offences Against the Persons Act 1861.

According to the report pack, West Midlands Police stated that:

As the Premises were closing customers gathered outside in the street with drinks they had removed out of the bar. There were little or no measures in place to actively disperse customers safely. There were at least two door supervisors on duty at the Premises yet they made no effort to disperse customers and there was no phone call to the Police regarding the incident from any patron, door staff or other employee of the venue.

An interim steps meeting was held on 18 September 2025, where the licensing sub-committee suspended the premises licence pending a full review hearing.

The documents outline several options available to the Licensing Sub-Committee, including:

• Modifying the conditions of the licence.
• Excluding a licensable activity from the scope of the licence.
• Removing the designated premises supervisor (DPS).
• Suspending the licence for a period not exceeding three months.
• Revoking the licence.

The report pack notes that representations have been received from the Environmental Health Department of Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, citing complaints about noise, anti-social behaviour, and obstruction of the highway. According to the representation from Environmental Health, the licensed hours of 08:00 to 03:30 every day are excessive, considering the residential area in which the premises operates.

The current premises licence holder is Donna Marie Shields, and the designated premises supervisor is Pauline Yvonne Taylor. The licence, initially granted on 28 June 2007, permits a range of licensable activities, including plays, films, indoor sporting events, live and recorded music, performances of dance, and the sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises.

Other agenda items

The agenda also includes items for apologies for absence and declarations of interest from the members.