THE future for a Leominster hotel remains uncertain after a council committee adjourned making a decision on whether to grant it a new licence.

Charmain Brooke, who wants to re-open the bars at the Royal Oak Hotel, was told that a date for Herefordshire Council's regulatory sub committee to meet again had been set for the earliest opportunity so the business could possibly re-open in time for Christmas.

The bars have been closed since the venue's licence was revoked on August 13 after a DJ was seriously assaulted in a bottle attack while trying to break up a fight in the hotel's basement bar, Bar 44.

The committee heard on Friday that Ms Brooke, who was the manager of the premises at the time of the assault, wanted 'a chance' to make a go of things.

A new state-of-the-art CCTV system had been installed, the committee was told, and maintenance work was ongoing.

But Nick Semper, Safer Neighbourhood Team Inspector for Hereford city, said that police objected to the application in its entirety and were concerned about public safety.

"The police and the licensing authority are aware of an ongoing issue with regards to fire safety which was commenced after a fire authority inspection and resulted in an improvement notice earlier this year,” he said.

"In our view there is a lack of clarity and understanding as to who is in charge and who is ultimately responsible for the premises. There is also a pervading sense of haphazard management self-evident. Paperwork is wanting, the required CCTV was not fitted after eight years, and the premises plans are out of date.”

The committee also heard from the South Street Residents' Association which said there had been widespread frustration and a real impact on the lives of those in the area as a result of the late night activity at the hotel.

Russell Stevens, the owner of the building, said he accepted responsibility for the incident which happened while he was premises licence holder.

He explained that Ms Brooke would be self-employed and would run the business herself, occupying the ground floor, should the new licence be granted.

"I would ask that she is given a chance. Nobody else should pay the price for what has gone on other than myself,” he said, adding that Ms Brooke had paid for herself and other staff to complete relevant training.

"She would be investing her own money in this and clearly she would want to be doing her best. She has a clean criminal record and therefore is a fit and proper person to be both the designated premises supervisor and personal licence holder.

"Her life has been on hold for three months not knowing where she would be going with this. She deserves clarity and a chance.”

The committee adjourned until December 14 when there will also be a site visit. It said it was considering granting a premises licence but only if the fire safety improvement notice was removed and if evidence could be shown that the CCTV system was of the required standard.