A BID to re-open a troubled Radcliffe pub under new management has failed after police objected.

The decision to keep the Lord Raglan closed was made by councillors on Bury's licensing hearing panel last Thursday.

They refused an application for a licence on the premises in Water Street, Radcliffe, after it was shut down in May this year after a large-scale fight which left two men with stab wounds.

Applicant Mr Liam Howarth was eager to restore a family-friendly atmosphere, but the panel members were not convinced it would be possible following the pub’s history.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) requested that the panel refuse the new licence application, because of previous disturbances there.

GMP solicitor Dan Richardson suggested that Mr Howarth was ‘friends’ with the previous licence holder, referred to as 'R' in the hearing, whom their intelligence suggested would still run the pub. Mr Howarth denied that claim.

Mr Richardson said: “The police are concerned because the intelligence they have is that ‘R’ will still be running the premises but by using someone else as a premises licence holder.

“The pub needs to be run in a way that means it won’t slip back. We do not want it concerning residents like it has previously.”

The panel’s chairman, Cllr Noel Bayley said: “We have unanimously voted to refuse the application on the grounds that Greater Manchester Police referred to three incidents that had occurred at the premises which had been of a violent nature.

“The neighbours’ reports of anti social behaviour were supported by GMP.

“Representation from GMP included intelligence which highlighted concerns regarding the relationship between Mr Howarth and ‘R’.

“And no compelling argument was put forward to satisfy the panel that there would not be further incidents to demonstrate that the crime and disorder objective would be satisfied.”

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Howarth said: “With the trouble that’s gone on at the pub, the result is a given really.

“We just want to get the business with a pub going so will be looking for somewhere else to start up, not specifically in Radcliffe, but all the Bury area."

He added: “It seemed like a good opportunity to turn this pub around but unfortunately that won’t be happening now.

“It’s a shame for the community to see another building go empty in Radcliffe.”

Objections from local residents were submitted to the council, relating to drugs, damage to property, anti-social behaviour, noise, and traffic.

* During the incident in May, police were initially refused entry to the premises and then found attempts had been made to clean up the scene.

A 33-year-old man has been bailed by police until November 10 in connection with the stabbing.