There is unlikely to be any drinking at Saddlebrook Holiday Park's clubhouse on Sheppey this summer.

Park boss Arthur Lee had been summoned by Swale council's licensing sub-committee to explain why police found alcohol being served there on February 26 during a coronavirus lockdown.

He was due to appear before councillors yesterday (Tuesday) but instead surrendered his licence which means the club in Warden Bay Road, Leysdown, must remain closed until a new application is made.

An emergency meeting of Swale council’s licensing sub-committee was first convened on March 17 when police said there had been "continuous breaches" of lockdown regulations over "several weeks".

Mr Lee apologised for the "issues" but in a surprise move has now given up the drinks licence for the park.

Licensing chairman Cllr Derek Carnell (Swale Independents Alliance) said: "Tuesday's meeting was a legal formality. We will issue a statement shortly."

Asked about criminal proceedings, the former magistrate said: "That is a matter for the police."

Police had previously said CCTV footage had shown "continuous breaches of this nature have taken place over a number of weeks”. They have been asked if criminal proceedings could follow.

Park boss Mr Lee has refused to comment.

Saddlebrook has a 10-month holiday licence from March 1 to January 2. Like all holiday parks it was also supposed to be closed because of the pandemic when licensing officers paid an unexpected visit.

Clubs and pubs were allowed to reopen on April 12 as long as customers were outside in beer gardens but the clubhouse, on the 22-acre site surrounded by 360 holiday homes, had to remain closed.

Lee Park Estates owns seven sites including Fairview Lodge at Leysdown and Little Venice at Yalding.

Swale council said: "Since the first hearing on March 17 the licence holder had surrendered the licence and no further application to reinstate the licence had been made.

"There is no longer an active licence at the premises and the premises have been closed.

"The sub-committee agreed no further action should be taken as the licence holder had surrendered the licence.

"The interim suspension previously in place on the premises has been removed."

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