Ealing landlords give up pub after police call hearing over crime

They include several allegations of attacks by door men, one where the victim was left with a broken ankle after being kicked repeatedly on the floor, while another saw security staff chase a man towards Hanger Lane before beating him and leaving him covered in blood.

Numerous fights broke out between drinkers in and outside the pub. During one a man's head was stamped on nine times outside the pub and he had to have hospital treatment for swelling and bruising to his face.
And a victim was left with a possible fractured eye socket and damage to his vision after a large fight broke out on the dance floor.

Suspects in some of the more serious crimes have either faced court or are likely to in the future but many cases have been dropped, most because victims have declined to take matters further.

But supporters of the pub say the police reports do not tell the whole picture, insisting the pub is safe, friendly and a valuable base for the Polish community which it serves.

About 50 submissions were sent to the panel of councillors who would have decided the pub's future on Tuesday, had the licencing hearing gone ahead.

They include one from the English-Polish Information Cultural Service which described The Magnat as a "valuable base and home of many Polonian cultural and art events".

As well as others who benefit from business networking events there and many who insist their favourite pub is safe.

The licence was surrendered the night before the hearing. Someone connected to the pub, such as the freeholder of the building, has 28 days to apply to take it over but it will still be under review.

Otherwise the building cannot reopen as a pub unless another licence is granted.

Police licencing inspector Mick Gornall, said: "It's very unusual for a premises to give up their licence. I've never heard of it before.

"We were seeking the revocation of the licence and it's better for residents it's no longer operating under its old management."

The former licence holders could not be contacted.