A bid to reopen a bar under new ownership has been rejected. 

Memory Lane in Seaham closed in May after the police and Durham County Council raised concerns with the venue’s management following the incident which hospitalised a customer with life-threatening injuries.

Former premises supervisor Emma Bird has appealed the council's decision to remove the licence earlier this year, which will be considered at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court in February 2025. 

A new application was submitted by Terrie Price, who hoped to become the new Designated Premises Supervisor at the venue. On Tuesday, a licensing meeting heard how she would introduce new measures to protect customers and improve the venue's operation, including employing more door staff and delivering staff training. 

(Image: The Northern Echo)

Mrs Price said her previous experience of working in hospitality and social care would help her run the venue with her partner. She said: “I believe me and my husband can make a real go of this. There’s no relationship with anyone else, we are going to run this.”

However, the council said it had “no confidence” in the premises being well run or controlled and would be managed by other people. 

Recommended reading: 

Subscribe to The Northern Echo now.

Nicola Anderson, licensing enforcement officer, told the meeting: “Even with the stricter restrictions that have been agreed the conditions previously have not been adhered to. The licensing authority feels that Terrie doesn’t have the necessary experience of running a licensed premises, and while the family is in control, the fact there is still an appeal ongoing from the previous licence would indicate there is still an ongoing feud in the family.

“The licensing authority has no confidence in the premises being well run or controlled.”

Committee members ruled that the council’s concerns were too serious and denied Mrs Price the chance to reopen the venue. Councillor Lesley Mavin, licensing chair, said: “The committee has decided to reject the application. This is based on information provided to us by the licensing authority.”