Magistrates close bar that claimed to be a furniture shop

Magistrates have granted a closure order against a bar that claimed to be a furniture shop giving alcohol away for free.

The closure order under s. 21 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 means that Innsatiable in Farnham, which sold furniture and beer mats, must remain closed until all alcohol is removed from the property.

Surrey Police, which sought the order, said the bar had been operating over the last couple of years both with and without a licence.

The force said concerns had been raised by the Waverley Safer Neighbourhood Team, local publicans and members of the public.

Surrey Police said: “Following communication over a period of some months the owner of Innsatiable agreed to become a personal licence holder and the bar became a legitimately run outlet.

“However, after a number of inspections by police in which several breaches of legislation were identified and a closure notice issued, the licence was surrendered to Waverley Borough Council in October 2013.”

The police added: “Innsatiable was from this point, again, being run without a licence and was giving further cause for concern in relation to a number of licensing incidents and issues at the bar.”

The property can re-open when all alcohol has been removed from the premises.

Borough Commander Tom Budd said: "This has been a protracted battle to ensure Innsatiable is run legally and within the legislation of the Licensing Act to ensure people are protected within safe premises which are run correctly.

“The closure order should provide reassurance to the local community and curb any anti-social behaviour or breaches of licensing regulations which have caused issues for other publicans in the town and local people. Whilst the numbers of incidents at the establishment were in line with any other licensed premise in Farnham, it is against the law to operate without the correct licence.”