Defiant Sheffield pub landlord re-opens bars despite being stripped of licence

Paul Greasby, landord of the Staffordshire Arms in Burngreave and the Pitsmoor Hotel, had his license revoked by Sheffield Council's licensing committee last month after a police raid on the Pitsmoor pub found drinkers hiding in cupboards.

Mr Greasby has denied the claims and is understood to be appealing against the ban.

And when asked by The Star for a response to his plans to re-open the pubs following the easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions, he simply responded with a list of drinks prices declaring today ‘happy independence day.’

In April, Sheffield Council and South Yorkshire Police said the Pitsmoor Hotel on Pitsmoor Road was visited by licensing officials following tip-offs from members of the public reporting that it was still serving customers despite all pubs being ordered to close by the government in a bid to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

They said customers were found ‘hiding in cupboards’.

A prohibition order was served under lockdown laws which allow local authorities and police forces to close premises flouting trading bans.

At the time, Mr Greasby, who has had the Pitsmoor for around a year and the Staffordshire Arms for nearly eight years, said: “I would not wish to make any comment at this stage other than to say that the press reports are wildly inaccurate.”

But when police returned following reports it was still serving, officers found people on the roof "to make it look like no-one was inside", a report to the council licensing committee said and last month, the decision was taken to strip both pubs of their licences.

Asked today if he had a response to re-opening, Mr Greasby replied: “Yes. Carling £2.90, John Smith's £2.80, Strongbow £2.80, Strongbow Darkfruit £2.90, Guinness, £3. Happy Independence Day 4 July 2020. Regards. Paul Greasby.”

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “When a council revokes a licence under a standard review, the premises has 21 days to appeal. The law always allows the premises to continue to open for those 21 days. Licensing are keeping an eye on the premises.”