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Swan Hotel could lose licence in review by council

A high street bar owner could lose his licence as the council conducts a review following a string of accusations by police and neighbours.

The Swan Hotel in Hythe faces allegations surrounding drugs, violence and underage drinking.

The evidence, gathered by police and Folkestone and Hythe District Council, will culminate in a license review of the High Street bar on Tuesday.

Police have raised a series of concerns about the Swan Hotel in Hythe
Police have raised a series of concerns about the Swan Hotel in Hythe

However, bar manager Mihir Patel claims the lions' share of accusations are untrue and stem from malicious patrons plotting to shutdown his business.

In a letter to the district council, available on its website, police wrote: "Following a serious incident at 10.05pm on April 13, other recent violent incidents, disturbance caused by local resident, persons under the age 18 being drunk on the premises and poor management/availability of CCTV, police have called the review under all four of the licensing objections."

In a two-page report the force relays occasions where one victim was kicked to the ground and stamped on, causing a fractured shoulder.

A second allegation describes a 17-year-old girl being attacked by two women who were arrested and "drug taking in the toilet" on March 29.

The report adds: "Det Con Woolnough reports that while attending the Swan Hotel to deal with the incident she believed that 80% of customers were underage and all were intoxicated.

"She also expressed her concerns surrounding the locking of the female toilets due to drug taking and the licensee seemed to be as drunk as the customers."

The report says management failed to provide CCTV evidence of the violence and discovered the bar to be in breach of its license, opening as late as 4am.

Making representations a nearby resident told of "blaring music with windows open at 11,45pm", drunks fighting and foul language.

"There are a select few people we have barred who caused trouble and are trying to get us shut down" - Mihir Patel

A council officer also made representations saying she felt vulnerable inside the pub.

She added: "I myself have visited the premises four times over the last year - I have witnessed only one member of bar staff being a young lady on her own.

"The lady in charge at the time of my visits did not know who the supervisor was and neither did she know any of the conditions or operating schedule."

Management is under review and all matters will be addressed according to pub owners Ei Group plc.

Pub manager Mihir Patel told our sister paper the Folkestone and Hythe Express he believes his establishment is being targeted as part of a smear campaign.

"There are a select few people we have barred who caused trouble and are trying to get us shut down.

"It feels like we are being set up because some people don't like us.

"I am sorry about not being able to provide CCTV but we are trained in that now and nobody who comes in the pub is underage.

"There was one group who looked underage but they are 18."

Det Con Woolnough said in the report she was unable to check their ID because she was investigating alleged violence.

Mr Patel added in the report: "I have never been drunk on the premises as claimed on the report. I am not even a regular drinker. You can test me anytime for it."

The case will go before the district council’s licensing sub-committee at the Civic Centre in Folkestone at 2pm on Tuesday.

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