Pub boss speaks out after '40-man brawl' and fire eater scandal on opening night
21.04.2023 - 06:51
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The owner of a bar in Leigh where a ‘40-man brawl' broke out outside has claimed it was nothing to do with them - saying they rejected the group from entering.
The pub formerly known as the Leigh Arms was celebrating its rebirth as the Sky Lounge on April 2, with a fire-eater performing - something the boss has since apologised for. James Hazlett, owner of Sky Lounge, has said that Greater Manchester Police’s view that they have 'a very poor attitude towards public safety’ is unfair.
The King Street venue even turned away dozens of those later involved in the scrap which has resulted in an affray investigation, James claimed.
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Prior to the events in the early hours of April 2, on March 19 a 'known offender' was seen carrying a metal bar outside the premises in an 'aggressive manner', according to a police report. He was later arrested, GMP confirmed.
The police report came to light after the Sky Lounge applied to extend their 2am cut-off for the sale of alcohol to 4am for a weekend event on April 22 and April 23. Wigan Council’s licensing sub committee was due to decide on the matter on April 19, but the application was withdrawn at the last minute as a result of a last-minute change of designated premises supervisor from the building owner.
GMP had objected to the pub's request in the interests of the prevention of crime, disorder and public safety. Their licensing team put together a report listing the recent incidents at the establishment as reasons for the council to reject the application.
“The fight actually happened in the middle of the road where the traffic lights are,” James Hazlett told the Local Democracy Reporting Service. “It actually