Police 'keeping an eye' on Sheffield pubs stripped of licences after breaking lockdown

Defiant Paul Greasby re-opened the Staffordshire Arms and Pitsmoor Hotel yesterday, despite having his licences for both revoked last month.

It came after a police raid on the Pitsmoor Hotel found customers ‘hiding in cupboards’ and numerous reports of the pub continuing to serve alcohol after a nationwide shutdown of all pubs was introduced.

It is understood Mr Greasby is appealing against the ban and is allowed to continue trading while the review takes place.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “The licence was revoked by Sheffield City Council following a standard review.

“But, 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, or until the appeal is completed and they are still within this time frame.

“Licensing are keeping an eye on the premises.”

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 yesterday ‘happy independence day.’

Pubs across England were allowed to re-open their doors for the first time yesterday since March following the nationwide ban aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Bars and customers face a raft of new safety measures after re-opening.