Bosses of a Liverpool city centre gay bar will make their case to have the venue's licence reinstated after three men were stabbed outside last month. Gbar on Tithebarn Street had its licence suspended by the city council during an expedited review hearing in September.
Incident and immediate suspension
Police officers were called to Tithebarn Street at around 6.35am on September 20 where three men were found injured. The victims were taken to hospital for assessment. It is believed the incident took place outside GBar on Eberle Street following an altercation between two groups inside.
Liverpool Council's licensing and gambling sub-committee moved to suspend GBar's licence with immediate effect, pending a full hearing next week.
Charges and court appearances
Merseyside Police confirmed three men were charged following the stabbing. Patrick Morgan, 31, of Canterbury Way, Liverpool has been charged with two counts of Section 18 wounding with intent; Violent Disorder; and Possession of a bladed article. Jonny Gee, 18, of Halkyn Drive, Everton has been charged with two counts of Section 18 wounding with intent; Violent Disorder; and Possession of a bladed article. Stephen Gee, 22, of Halkyn Drive, Everton has been charged with one count of Section 18 wounding with intent; Violent Disorder; and Possession of Class B controlled drugs.
All three appeared at Wirral Magistrates Court last month ahead of a Crown Court hearing this month.
Venue's response and next steps
Speaking during an initial hearing at Liverpool Town Hall on September 23, Karl Bruder, agent on behalf of Howard Gwynn, designated premises supervisor, said the owners were "disappointed" by what had happened outside the venue and they had been "let down" by management. It is understood individuals have also been dismissed from the venue.
Mr Bruder said it was an "unusually exceptional" position for the operators to find themselves in, given their portfolio of venues across the city. The agent said "impactful" changes are being made at GBar and officials would work with Merseyside Police ahead of a full licence review hearing.
This will be held on Friday October 16. Until such time, GBar must remain closed.
In a statement following last month's hearing, the venue posted a message to its thousands of followers on Instagram. It said: "A short break...Not a farewell. We are working with LCC over the next three weeks, after a very sad incident took place on Tithebarn Street on Sunday morning. Quality, safe clubbing is everything to us...As we hope you all know. Come with a smile, dance without a care, respect each other, and love the music. If you can't, then don't come. We'll take a very short break, we'll spend that time making some improvements to the venue for your return in October. Our DJ team can be found this and the next few weekends at KITCHEN DISCO 2 - At @campusliverpool Back doing what we all love...Together...Soon."
