A County Durham bar that closed after a stabbing incident has lost a court appeal to stay open. 

Bar 1 in Consett lost its licence earlier this year after the incident on December 27, which hospitalised two people.

A Durham County Council licensing committee was told police believed the venue was a threat to public safety. 

Now, a court has ruled to support the council's ruling just two weeks after it reopened. A hearing at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court heard “a further serious incident” was reported on March 16. 

Bar 1 was allowed to reopen after venue staff appealed the council’s decision. 

Since reopening, new measures introduced by owner Jody Armstrong included using an app to scan IDs, body searches, and transferring CCTV footage to the police. Ms Armstrong had appealed to continue with the improvements despite the latest incident. 

However, the court said it had “no confidence” that varying the conditions would protect safety.

Court papers read: “Whilst there may have been sufficient door staff to the ratio of patrons within the premises, the incident escalated out of control, yet again putting people at risk. Whilst measures have been put in place by Jody Armstrong to search and scan individuals, the court could see females entering the premises unchecked.

“We are not satisfied that Jody Armstrong is an appropriate DPS because the measures put in place since the premises reopened have not been sufficient to safeguard members of the public in the vicinity, clientele, or staff,” the court papers added. 

“The regime for checking the group at the door failed to prevent the incident.

“The fact that two serious incidents have happened under the control of this management within a short space of time leads us to believe that neither the removal of the DPS nor amending the licence conditions would not go far enough to promote the licensing objectives and safeguard the public.”

Ms Armstrong said she has been “going through hell” ever since the December incident and revealed Bar 1 has now closed. 

In a video statement posted online, she said: “Bar 1 is no more. I’m absolutely devastated, that bar is my life and I know everybody else loves coming. 

“Hate us or love us, I’ve overcome almost every hurdle thrown at us. This is not what I wanted to happen but unfortunately, it’s the end of the road."

Sergeant Caroline Dickenson, who led the review procedures on behalf of Durham Constabulary, said: “For the safety of everyone in the nighttime economy, we had to support the appeal brought against Durham County Council at the magistrates’ court.

“We must ensure licensed premises are run as safely and effectively as possible for the customers as well as the wider community and unfortunately this wasn’t the case here.”  

Recommended reading: 

Don't miss out on the latest news and stories. Subscribe to The Northern Echo now for £4 for four months.

Ms Armtrong was ordered to pay £4,500 in costs to Durham County Council. 

Ian Harrison, Durham County Council’s business compliance manager, said: “We are pleased that the magistrates’ court has dismissed this appeal and the premises licence remains revoked.

“We hope the action we have taken alongside Durham Constabulary in bringing this forward for review, and the court’s decision will send a clear warning to any businesses that do not comply that they will face the consequences.”