Drugs bust Blackpool hotel licence to be reviewed

A licensing panel will be held on March 8 after Lancashire Police applied to Blackpool Council for a review of the licence held by the New President Hotel on North Promenade.

Reports to the panel, which will be made up of councillors, are not being publicly disclosed because they contain sensitive details of a police investigation into the premises.

Officers who raided the hotel in November last year found a large cannabis factory and machetes hidden on the premises following reports that an ‘East European gang’ had taken over the building.

Agenda papers say the hotel licence currently allows alcohol to be sold between 10am and 2am in the show bar, and between 10am and 2.30am in the First Floor Bar seven days a week.

They add: “On 11 January 2021, the Licensing Service received an application from Lancashire Constabulary to review this licence on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety.”

Representations in support of the review have also been received from the council’s own licensing authority, the child protection licensing officer and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.

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