A cherished bar and shop could lose their licence after a spate of violence including mass brawls and a nearby stabbing.

Thames Valley Police (TVP) called in a review of Bar Iguana and Premier’s licence after the latest incident, a large-scale fight on December 21.

Police have strongly recommended the licence be revoked because of large scale fights, possession of drugs, and a stabbing in the area, as well as the need to use a taser to arrest one individual.

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PC Simon Wheeler said: “There has been a history of poor management and processes linked to this premises licence and numerous incidents of crime and disorder involving both individuals and groups.”

Police also discovered off-licence store Premier has been selling alcohol later than its licence allows and sold alcohol to a 17-year-old.

The area ranks number one for crime in the town centre between 11pm and 6am but supporters say the bar and shop are not the cause of issues.

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Bar Iguana and Premier share one licence, held by Mohammed Saleem, which the council could choose to revoke at Thursday’s (March 12) Licensing committee.

Mr Saleem is also the licence holder for Favourite Chicken and Pizza, which is next door and whose licence is being reviewed in the coming weeks.

PC Wheeler suggested the combined impact of the three shops is the reason for issues in St Mary’s Butts, with the area ranking number one for crime in the town centre between 11pm and 6am.

How late can the two businesses currently sell booze?

Premier currently has a licence to open 24 hours a day and sell alcohol from 7am-2am.

Bar Iguana can open from 10am-3am and sell alcohol until 2am from Sunday to Thursday, with extended opening hours until 4am and alcohol on sale until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.

But police found CCTV footage showing Premier had sold alcohol to customers after 3am on a Saturday, December 14, 2019 and the shop has also sold alcohol to under-17s in the past.

What could happen on Thursday?

TVP want the licence to be revoked, which would prevent either business selling alcohol.

Their second choice is a three-month suspension.

If the committee chooses not to revoke or suspend the licence, they want the hours to be reduced dramatically to:

Bar Iguana

  • Open: 10am-12.30am, Monday-Sunday
  • Sale of alcohol: 10am-midnight, Monday-Sunday

Premier

  • Open: 7am-11pm, Monday-Sunday
  • Sale of alcohol: 7am-11pm, Monday-Sunday.

Five people have written to the council in support of the bar and shop.

‘Extreme loss to a lot of good people”: Supporters plea for council to save Bar Iguana

Several residents wrote to the council to express how important Bar Iguana is to them.

Anna Johnson said: “I love visiting Bar Iguana as I love the atmosphere and always feel safe and relaxed.

“It offers a friendly place for upcoming DJs to hold their events.

“I have never felt any negativity in there or seen any trouble. It would be an extreme loss to a lot of good people if anything was to affect their licence.”

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Jodie Paonessa added: “I would be devastated if Bar Iguana was to close or if their hours were reduced.”

Ursula Codrington said the bar is an important space for night shift hospital staff.

She said: “Bar Iguana is a unique, secluded, multicultural premises which, from Thursdays-Saturdays is often frequented by night shift medical staff and care workers including myself.

“We have always felt safe and secure at this bare due to numerous television and security cameras in and around the building and the high presence and level of security guards at the entrance.”

Ben Cox-Smith, who previously worked at Bar Iguana for ten years, said Bar Iguana “caters for a whole subculture of people, many of whom don’t go to any other bars” and is a peaceful venue.

He added: “I would implore you consider that correlation does not equate to causation and not to rid Reading of such an iconic venue which has been serving an otherwise uncatered for community for over 25 years.”

‘Life saver’: Supporters upset at ‘ridiculous’ Premier licence review

Premier fans also wrote in to tell the council how important the shop is.

Rick Tubbs said: “It is ridiculous that the actions of a few people can potentially harm a business which has been operating in town for a long time now.

“Premier is one of the only shops I trust in town and has been a life saver for me on many occasions when nothing else is open late at night.”

Maria McDonald said she was very upset to learn about the review and that said she had never experienced any trouble inside Premier over many years.