CONFUSION over the running of a north Kirklees pub has prompted a licence review.

Police called for a review of the Crown Hotel, a public house in Chickenley, over concerns about who was in charge.

Currently a company called CDSL Ltd is designated the premises licence holder and the supervisor is Richard William Hart.

But in February Kirklees police called for a review which was heard on February 13. No-one from the pub attended the meeting and councillors voted to revoke the licence.

The team behind the Crown Hotel lodged an appeal on March 8 and the appeal is due to be heard on July 2.

But Paul Gourlay of CDSL Ltd set up another name, Barbella Ltd, and a licence application has now been submitted by that company to assume the responsibility of the premises licence.

However, police on a routine visit to the pub, found Mr Hart and Charlotte Hemmingway, the former pub manager, were still in charge despite assurances from the owner they would not be.

Pc Richard Farrand, of Kirklees Licensing, is objecting to the second premises licence believing it will lead to “clouded accountability”.

He said approving Mr Gourlay’s licence request would mean there are two licences for the same operation at the pub.

The licence review hearing will take place on Tuesday at 10.45am at Dewsbury Town Hall.