The Star Inn, a pub located in St Mary in the Marsh, has had its licence revoked by Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee following concerns from local police regarding its operations and safety practices. The decision, made on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, comes after an incident in June and evidence of ongoing issues raised by Kent Police.

Police were initially called to the Star Inn at 2:50 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2024, in response to a disturbance. They found a heavily intoxicated woman who reportedly attempted to assault other patrons, raising questions about the pub’s adherence to its licensed hours. The pub is restricted to serving alcohol from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 10 p.m. on Sundays.

Further investigation suggested that alcohol had been served well past these hours, and a subsequent visit in August indicated that the pub was again operating outside of its permitted hours. Police offered assistance to the pub, including support in improving its CCTV systems, but reported that the management failed to engage in discussions about operating the premises responsibly.

In light of these issues, Kent Police applied for a licence review, which was heard by the licensing committee. The decision to revoke the Star Inn’s licence, pending appeal, underscores the importance of compliance with safety regulations for licensed premises.

Licensing officer PC Alistair Pringle commented, “Running licensed premises comes with responsibilities, and it’s important that those who run pubs and bars keep their customers safe and prevent anti-social behaviour to neighbouring residents. We will always work with pubs and bars to help them maintain good practices and ensure staff know how to help people when needed. However, where we believe licence holders are not taking their responsibilities seriously and are refusing to engage with authorities, we will take action such as this.”

The committee’s decision serves as a reminder to other pub and bar operators of the importance of adhering to licensing laws and maintaining safe, responsible environments for their patrons and the community.