The Queens pub in Grays has lost its appeal to keep its licence, Basildon magistrates ruled last Friday.

The court made the decision after publican John Harris failed to show up at the hearing on Friday.

Pub manager John Harris appealed against the licensing decision in March, after a three-man panel of Thurrock councillors backed a police call to revoke the pub’s licence.

Thurrock Council made an application to dismiss the appeal, based on his non-appearance and his past repeated failure to provide the court with material they had requested.

The court dismissed the appeal and granted the council £200 in costs.

Licensing Officers subsequently visited the premises with the police and advised that alcohol could no longer be served. The premises are complying with this instruction.

The panel who called for the pub to be shut was chaired by Councillor Mike Stone and included Councillors Ben Maney and Roy Jones.

Councillor Mike Stone said: “This is a good result arising from the work of the police and licensing officers working together and vindicates the decision of the committee.

“It was not a decision we took lightly, but something we believed, after hearing all the evidence, that was necessary.

“Friday’s decision by the magistrates’ court supports our work and reinforces our message that all licensed premises in Thurrock should be run in a proper and correct fashion … or there will be consequences.”

The report on February’s licensing sub-committee is available at https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/news/licences-registrations-and-permits/pub%E2%80%99s-licence-revoked