Fast-track review as Brownz faces closure

Brownz in Union Street.

AN emergency meeting will be held on Thursday which could close a Yorkshire Street bar after three men were stabbed in a drunken brawl.

Superintendent Chris Sykes has forced fast-track licence review of Brownz (pictured right) — the first in Oldham — after drunken violence flared there, leaving one man with a life-threatening spinal injury.

Police have also attacked Winston Eastmond (inset), who has applied to become the bar’s designated premises supervisor (DPS), for having a total disregard for public safety.

In a letter to the licensing panel they say he did not “fully co-operate” with officers after the brawl and added: “The sale and supply of alcohol, because of its impact on the wider community and on crime and anti-social behaviour, carries with it greater responsibilities.

“The police believe that this applicant does not understand the relevance and importance of this. He has a total disregard for the welfare and safety of members of the public who may attend his establishment or those attending nearby premises, and also his own responsibilities in the prevention of crime and disorder.

“The police are of the view that Mr Eastmond is not suitable to be either the premises licence holder or the DPS of these premises.”

Violence flared between rival gangs from Oldham and Manchester in Brownz early on May 26. This spilled onto Yorkshire Street and police received reports of 30 men fighting with bottles.

Three men were stabbed in the face, head and back and an officer was injured. Knives were involved and one man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.

Police had previously warned Mr Eastmond about the number and type of people attending the bar. Brownz had also been closed when it was discovered it was operating illegally without appropriate CCTV, reopening on the night of the violence.

An interim order was made to suspend the bar’s licence, the first time Oldham police had used their powers to request a fast track because of serious crime or disorder.

Officers said the pubic would be put in danger if it reopened and a full review will now be held on Thursday.

Oldham council is also taking separate action to look at the licences of all 22 town centre bars and clubs.

Chief Superintendent Sykes said he was concerned about increasing violence and added: “This was different from a drunken argument, it was a big step up.”

The Chronicle was unable to contact Mr Eastmond.