A city centre bar where a gun was flashed during a bust-up has been allowed to stay open. A committee meeting at Manchester Town Hall heard a group of men were involved in an argument on June 4 at The Lawn Club before the firearm was pulled out.
The scuffle spilled outside at the Spinningfields venue. Blood was seen on the pavement after punches were thrown. Thomas McCartney, designated premises supervisor (DPS), spoke to committee councillors as the future of the venue was decided.
Firearms officers from Greater Manchester Police were on the scene within four minutes of 999 being called at 10.14pm. The gun was not fired, but customers were evacuated.
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A man was seen lying unconscious as the gunman ran away, the meeting was told. PC Alan Isherwood, divisional licensing officer, said previous meetings heard there was a stabbing, but that the 'trail of blood' seen is believed to have been the result of a fist fight.
Representatives from Hardman Bars attended a third hearing on Friday (June 30). The firm's licence to serve alcohol and put on entertainment was renewed with conditions.
During a hearing on June 7, the licence was suspended in the aftermath of the incident. An interim hearing was held on Monday (June 26). Following those proceedings, councillors allowed the bar to reopen pending licence conditions.
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Mr McCartney and managing director Anthony Ellis apologised to customers and thanked staff for acting quickly. Solicitor Rebecca Lowe, representing the bar, said staff were 'shocked and devastated' and highlighted that the venue voluntarily closed following the 'extremely fightening' incident.
The attack happened during an external event being hosted at the bar. Bosses have vowed to stop such events.
New conditions also include giving GMP 14-days notice of in-house events; random searches being introduced; SIA-trained door staff working regularly; CCTV installation; and Martyn's Law guidance being followed.
The criminal investigation into the incident on June 4 is ongoing, GMP confirmed.
