Police want bar shut down after stabbing

Police were called to Players Lounge in Yew Lane, Ecclesfield, Sheffield, on March 15 after a man, 31, was knifed, according to a police report to be examined by licensing chiefs.

Supt Shaun Morley, of South Yorkshire Police, says in the report that investigations are continuing into the incident, but adds that three men were arrested at the scene at the time.

Players Lounge was voluntarily closed while forensic examinations took place, but police allowed a function to take place on Saturday, March 15, as long as certain conditions were met.

In his report to Sheffield Council’s licensing board, Supt Morley says the conditions were not adhered to, meaning that he now wanted to apply for a “formal closure notice” on the premises.

Members of the board, which will meet on April 9, will be shown a record of complaints surrounding the premises dating back to January 1 this year.

Supt Morley says the closure is necessary because of the risk of serious crime or disorder.

The licensee, Kevin Johnstone, has already made representations against the closure which will be considered by the committee