The Prince of Wales pub in West Bromwich is making headlines again, but not for its pints. After its licence was dramatically revoked last year due to a “horrifying” baton attack involving unlicensed door staff and patrons, a new application to reopen the High Street venue is facing strong opposition from West Midlands Police and Fire Service.
Last November, an incident described as “horrific” by Sandwell Council led to then-owner Rajinder Singh, who had run the pub for over two decades, losing his licence. Police bodycam footage reportedly showed patrons unfazed by the violence, with no one calling emergency services or cooperating with officers. This led to serious concerns from West Midlands Police, who fear the pub would operate “in a very similar way” if reopened, attracting the same crowd and business model that led to previous incidents. They also highlighted issues like an unlicensed bouncer and staff working without the right permits.
Adding to the troubles, West Midlands Fire Service also raised red flags. They cited defective emergency lighting, a lack of fire detection system testing, and no proper fire risk assessment in place.
The new application seeks to open the pub from 9 am to 3 am daily, selling alcohol until 2:30 am and playing live music. However, with such severe objections from key authorities, the Prince of Wales faces a steep uphill battle to pour pints once more. The community awaits the decision on whether this local establishment will be given a second chance, or if public safety concerns will prevail.
Source: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/west-midlands-police-opposes-prince-33422080
