A PUB and restaurant facing serious allegations over flouting licensing laws has been given the green light to sell alcohol.

The Olive Grove, in Spennymoor, had already been selling booze for two years without a licence before it was flagged up last month.

Durham Police are currently investigating the premises for a number of apparent breaches alleged to have been made since manager Steven Metcalf was informed on June 23.

Yesterday, Mr Metcalf was granted a temporary event notice by the Durham County Council’s (DCC) statutory licensing sub-committee - allowing him to sell alcohol from Saturday to July 28.

The meeting at County Hall heard the authority had recently received information that the eatery had previously held a licence under the name of a company dissolved in August 2015, and informed Mr Metcalf.

A representative for Durham Police, which raised objections to the temporary alcohol licence, told councillors over the course of the following days DCC was informed alcohol was still being served.

Speaking on behalf of Sergeant Michael Unwin, the spokesperson said a member of staff was led to believe alcohol could be served after 6pm while Mr Metcalf told council staff only soft drinks were being sold during a lunchtime service.

A report prepared by Sgt Urwin makes reference to CCTV footage, includes screenshots of online adverts for drinks at the premises and states: “It is Durham Constabulary’s submission that the applicant has been blatantly disregarding the Licensing Act.”

Mr Metcalf told the committee when he took over from the previous management he assumed the licence belonged to the property owner and was still in place and has continued to pay the annual fee to the council.

He also said he, either by “mistake” or “misinformation”, believed he could sell alcohol after 6pm.

“If I’d known the licence had lapsed or I could have changed the name on it obviously I would have done it at that time,” he added. “I’ve had 35 years in the trade, I’ve always kept an orderly house and have never had to call the police.”

Chairman Cllr Pauline Crathorne said the committee were prepared to give the applicant the “benefit of the doubt,” adding: “If the allegations are proven they will be very serious. However, we currently have no evidence, only allegations and investigations are continuing.”

Mr Metcalf has submitted an application for a premised licence which is currently in consultation.