Hoxne Swann pub's licence formally revoked despite community support for the venue

A pub's licence has been formally revoked despite community support following Suffolk Police's concerns it had been used as a cannabis farm.

Mid Suffolk's licensing sub-committee members met last Friday to discuss the force's request for a full review and suspension of the Swan Inn's licence.

In May, Superintendent Matt Bodmer said he believed the pub, in Low Street, Hoxne, near Eye, had been 'used for the cultivation of cannabis' following an investigation.

The council decided to suspend the licence with immediate effect.

As a criminal investigation was still ongoing, most of the meeting was held in private. The meeting reconvened to hear representations from the public. Several residents, as well as two staff members, were in attendance.

Wilf White, a resident and regular of the pub, said residents were worried about losing the establishment and stressed the premises, and the licence holder, were very popular and respected within the village.

Lisa Bassett, a staff member, said: "The only thing Hoxne has is the pub, that's all we have left.

“Every single customer is sad about what's going on at the moment, they can't believe what's happened."

Katie-Marie Hawes, a resident, added: "To lose [the pub] in a time when services are few and far between would be horrendous."

There were no representations from residents in favour of taking the licence away..

Cllr Ollie Walters said although it was clear how residents felt about the pub, it was the sub-committee's job to look at the facts.

Though he could not elaborate on the earlier discussion for legal reasons, he said the fact drugs have been found in very close proximity to the premises was very concerning.

Cllr Walters added: "This is not me saying it was or wasn't in connection to the pub, but it happened very close to the pub."

After discussing it for close to an hour in private session, councillors decided to revoke the licence altogether.

They did, however, remove the interim suspension placed after the police's request, meaning the business can operate for 21 days, during which time the decision can be appealed.