Oldham pub allowed to re-open, despite string of violent attacks there

The Royal Oak can remain open, with certain conditions.

An Oldham pub has been allowed to keep its licence – despite a string of violent incidents taking place there.

The Royal Oak in Failsworth had had its licence suspended last month, following the latest violent attack.

Over the last two years, there has been a string of incidents – including assault and attempted murder.

Earlier this year, a man was taken to hospital after being glasses – while a doorman was stabbed multiple times in the face in January last year.

But a hearing on Friday morning ruled the pub could continue to trade, providing they met a number of conditions.

The latest incident there saw a man left with a ten-inch stab wound after he’d been attacked.

He told ambulance workers he had fallen on a glass – but they told police they believed he’d been stabbed.

Police couldn’t view CCTV because they had already taken the hard drive to view footage to investigate a previous incident.

It left police believing the Royal Oak was linked to “serious crime and serious disorder”.

In order to stay open, the pub must have a special radio link with Oldham Council’s CCTV network and metal detectors must be used by door staff to prevent anybody taking weapons into the premises.

The decision has been described as a “wake-up call” and the pub’s “last chance”.

The Royal Oak’s late opening hours have also been suggested as one reason for the number of incidents – so they’ve been told to close at midnight, with the sale of alcohol stopping at 11.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

The pub must also have 24-hour CCTV and two accredited door staff must be employed.