Dozens support County Durham bar's bid to reopen after stabbing incident
The future of Aviator Sports and Live Lounge, Newton Aycliffe, will be determined by a Durham County Council committee on Wednesday (August 13) after an alleged double stabbing incident in July.
Staff at the Aviator are accused of misleading the police, not ringing the emergency services, and interfering with a crime scene.
However, the venue denied obstructing the investigation and said the incident did not occur on its property. A hearing was told there have been no previous crime and disorder incidents.
56 letters of support have been sent to Durham County Council ahead of the meeting, praising the venue's positive impact within the local community.
Customers also praised the ability to watch live sports, play darts, and watch live music.
Andrew Lovegreen said: 'The Aviator offers something special to Newton Aycliffe: a well-run, inclusive space that gives people the chance to come together through sport, music, food, and friendship.
'These are the kinds of venues that help towns thrive, and we're lucky to have it.'
Staff previously warned that closing the Aviator could have a 'catastrophic' effect on the venue's future and its employees' jobs.
Jevan Leight, a member of the management staff, said: 'I've seen firsthand just how important this venue is—not only to the local community, but to the many people whose livelihoods depend on it, myself included.
'Aviator is my only source of income, but it is also so much more than a workplace. It's a one-of-a-kind venue that brings people together in a way no other local establishment does.'
Other parents lauded the venue's family-friendly approach.
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The police application to review the premises licence was supported by Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership and the county council's Adult and Health Services.
One person against a new licence said: 'We don't need another establishment where decent people are assaulted and have to continuously look over [their] shoulder and ultimately risk further deaths.'
Durham County Council's licensing committee will determine whether no further action is required, modify or add conditions to the license, remove the designated premises supervisor, suspend the licence for a maximum of three months, or revoke it altogether.
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