Manchester Bar Run By Drug Dealer Forced To Close

BURY licensing panel will meet at the Town Hall to consider whether Alt. on Moss Lane, Whitefield, which had been described as ‘a community arts hub’, should keep its licence.

The venue’s licence was suspended on February 9th due to major concerns regarding the safety of staff and customers after a number of violent incidents including an attempted arson attack and a stabbing on New Year’s Eve.

In what is suspected to have been a targeted attack on New Year's Eve, Daniel Warrender was stabbed several times at the bar and suffered a punctured lung and kidney. The victim’s brother, David Warrender, a convicted drug dealer, was said to be ‘in control of the bar’ despite the current premises licence holder being named as Mr Paul Kersh.

David Warrender has previous convictions for serious drugs offences and money laundering and was jailed in 2014 for eighteen months for conspiracy to supply amphetamines.

A number of local residents have also complained to the council expressing concern about issues with parking, litter and anti-social behaviour.

The licensing document reads: “GMP are now aware that the current premises licence holder has lost control of the premises and in reality the person in control is David Warrender, who is currently subject to an outstanding confiscation order that he has failed to comply with - granted by the courts on the basis of his previous financial gains from criminal activity.”

The report also says: “GMP maintain that the risk to that premises by virtue of Warrender’s connection to it is very much present and on-going.”

Councillor David Jones, chairman of the licensing panel, said: “We really had no option but to close the premises due to the issue of public protection. It was our only option given the level of violence at the premises. It was a catalogue of incidents - arson, fighting, stabbing.”

The panel decided to suspend the licence immediately and will hear a full review on March 6th.

 

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