Blue Eyed Maid’s enforced shutdown halved to three weeks

The Blue Eyed Maid, which is currently shut for refurbishment, had its licence reviewed last autumn after police reported an astonishing 872 per cent increase in reported crime associated with the premises.

At last October's hearing police presented evidence of dozens of thefts as well as nine incidents of "serious drink-related violence" at the premises and an alleged sexual assault in the kitchen.

Councillors decided to impose a six-week suspension of the premises licence as well as insisting on a change of management and the installation of ID scan equipment.

The pub's premises supervisor lodged an appeal against the decision of Southwark's licensing sub-committee which was due to be heard by magistrates next month.

This week a further sub-committee hearing was told that since last October's review there had been a further seven thefts recorded at the Blue Eyed Maid as well as one incident of actual bodily harm.

Now councillors have agreed a compromise with police and management which will see the license suspended for three weeks to prevent the matter going to court.

The pub's closing time on Friday and Saturday nights will also be brought forward to 2.30am rather than the current 3.30am.

The pub is currently closed for three weeks of building work but police insist the three-week suspension will not start till the appeal to the magistrates' court is withdrawn and the period for appeal of the latest decision expires.

Last month the Blue Eyed Maid received a food hygiene rating of 2 ('requires improvement') on a scale of 0 to 5 after an inspection by Southwark Council officers.