A PUB where two men suffered injuries ‘consistent with stab wounds’ has had its licence revoked.

In a town hall meeting held behind closed doors last Friday, Bury Council’s licensing hearings panel agreed to a police request to shut the Lord Raglan pub down following the incident on May 2.

Greater Manchester Police had been granted permission to temporarily close the pub in Water Street, Radcliffe, last month after claiming the safety of staff and customers was at risk.

In evidence presented to the panel last week, police said that none of the pub’s staff had attempted to inform police of the incident and, when they did arrive at the scene, attempts had been made to clean up evidence.

The premises licence holder, Rezart Balesi, has been given 21 days to appeal the decision, during which time the pub will remain closed.

Cllr David Jones, chairman of the committee, said afterwards: “The panel heard evidence presented by Greater Manchester Police and representations from the pub’s lawyers.

“We were completely unimpressed by the management of the pub.

“There have clearly been some serious incidents at the pub recently that have led us to make this decision.”

A report presented at the meeting outlining police concerns read: “A large-scale fight erupted within the pub.

"As a result, two males sustained injuries consistent with stab wounds. One of them was also hit around the head with a bottle and a third man was punched to the face.

"The premises licence holder Rezart Balesi and the designated premises supervisor Christopher O'Brien were present.

"Neither they or any other staff member have made contact with the police to inform them of the incident.

"On police arrival, officers could not initially gain entry to the premises and, finally on doing so, (they noticed) attempts have been made to clean up the scene, thus damaging any potential forensic evidence.

"There is a history of other incidents of violence at the premises and also of the staff being unco-operative with the police."

Bosses of the pub have been unavailable for comment, despite several visits by the Radcliffe Times to the now-closed pub and efforts to make contact by phone.