'Disproportionate' pub action in Coventry

Coventry's licensing committee has been accused of 'big company favouritism' in its treatment of two pubs that twice failed test purchases.

Separate review hearings saw JD Wetherspoon's Flying Standard pub forced to operate Challenge 25 and use CCTV, but Trinity's, a small Trust Inns tenanted pub 100 yards away, was ordered to close for two months and also had extra conditions added to its licence.

These include operating Challenge 25, barring entry to under-18s and forcing all staff to hold a personal licence.

Tenant Michelle Monaghan plans to appeal at magistrates.

The Flying Standard and Trinity's both failed the two test purchase sting operations carried out on the same day on each occasion.

Trust Inns, which holds the premises licence for Trinity's, said it was disappointed at what appeared to be disproportionate action taken by the licensing committee.

The company said it had not been told by the council about the failed test purchases.

"If we had been informed about these incidents we would have made sure the necessary action was taken," said Trust Inns boss Brian King.

Monaghan, who runs five sites in the West Midlands, said she felt the committee's decision was unfair.

"We have a good track record on training and this is the first problem I have ever faced in 10 years running pubs," she said.

Trinity's will continue to trade pending the appeal at magistrates.

Coventry Council said the action against Trinity's followed two failed test purchases and substantial antisocial behaviour in the area.