Police have dropped court action against one of Huddersfield’s best-known bars, Kewz, which could have seen it closed down.

The decision brings to an end a saga which began in January following a number of serious incidents, the worst of which saw a gun being fired into the Queen Street bar’s ceiling.

West Yorkshire Police began compiling a dossier of incidents that had occurred at the bar.

And on March 21 co-owners Hugh Pryce and Thamar Monet faced losing their livelihood if the decision by a three-man licensing panel at Huddersfield Town Hall had decided to accept the police’s case to shut them down.

Kewz Bar licence holder Thamar Monet
Kewz Bar licence holder Thamar Monet

But it rejected the attempt and imposed only three minor conditions despite concerns from police.

The police’s barrister Beverley Dawes told the panel: “Between January 1, 2015 and February 21, 2016, there have been a total of 30 offences mainly on Friday and Saturday nights.

“One of the most concerning was on January 31 when a firearm was discharged into a ceiling. This is an extremely serious incident.”

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However, West Yorkshire Police decided to appeal the decision and this was heard at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court on May 11.

It was clear though that West Yorkshire Police were having second thoughts about trying to shut it down.

Lawyer, Andrew Garthwaite, on behalf of the police, told magistrates that since the review hearing into the bar there “has been a shift in the clientele attending the Kewz Bar and the number of incidents with Kewz Bar have greatly reduced.”

Kewz bar, Queen Street, Huddersfield
Kewz bar, Queen Street, Huddersfield

Mrs Monet said today: “I am pleased to announce the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police has withdrawn the appeal against Kewz bar and the licensing panel.

“We are extremely happy this is all over and we can finally move forward.”

At the last court hearing she complained that the situation had left them in limbo and unable to progress urgent refurbishment work.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “We can confirm we have applied to formally withdraw the matter.”

Kirklees Council have yet to comment.