Police tell of fears for bar under new boss

BOSSES at a bar in Sheffield city centre which was closed down by police because of violence at the premises is at the centre of a new wrangle over who should run it when it finally reopens.

The Empire Bar, in Charter Row, had its licence suspended after a series of assaults, including the stabbing of a 17-year-old boy on Christmas Eve and drug dealing witnessed by undercover police officers.

Officers have now written to licensing councillors to ask them to block the employment of a new premises supervisor Mohammed Jangir because they say he has been “uncooperative” with officers in the past.

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In an email to Sheffield Council’s licensing board, South Yorkshire Police said: “The grounds of objection are based on the prevention of crime and disorder. Mr Jangir has previously managed other premises in the area and has proven to be unco-operative with the police.

“Given that the premises licence has recently been suspended for three months, we feel it is essential for the designated premises supervisor to work in partnership with police in order to uphold licensing objectives.”

Empire Bar’s licence was revoked by Sheffield Council after the authority’s licensing board raised concerns that customers, including members of Sheffield’s gang scene, were frequenting the bar after the closure of the nearby Niche nightclub and former Niche doormen were working at Empire.

The objection to Mr Jangir was submitted on behalf of South Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Meredydd Hughes and Insp Neil Mutch, who is charge of policing in Sheffield city centre.

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Police said their concerns centred around the fact that Mr Jangir used to work with his brother Mohammed Tanwir running Club Element and the Fez Club, across the road.

Those venues also closed amid problems with gang violence in 2004.