PBs Bar in Birmingham has become the first venue to have its licence revoked over concerns about social distancing.

The pub, in the Jewellery Quarter, Key Hill, was described as ‘one of the worst examples’ of coronavirus restrictions being broken.

A police officer slammed the venue at a licensing meeting saying it had broken a lot of rules when he attended on 7 August, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

PC Abdool Rohomon said: ‘There’s no compliance whatsoever. 

‘There’s no social distancing, there’s no track and tracing, there’s no people sitting down, there’s people dancing, there’s people smoking.’

CCTV and police bodycam footage was played to councillors showing the alleged breaches.

A Public Health Birmingham spokesperson added: ‘It’s probably one of the worst examples we could ever wish to see of non-adherence to guidance.’

PBs licence holder Nickeshia Reid-Davidson, who was removed as designated premises supervisor, admitted she had ‘messed up’ and was ‘genuinely sorry’ but pleaded for a second chance.

Her spokesperson said: ‘It’s taken this intervention by West Midlands Police in order for her mind to be properly focussed on the seriousness of the situation.’

The licence for the premise will stay suspended pending an appeal.

Birmingham Mail reported leader of the city Councillor Ian Ward as saying: “The way in which this premises was being run was endangering the public by risking the spread of COVID-19: It is this kind of behaviour that has contributed to restrictions being placed on Birmingham to try and control the sharp rise in cases in the city.”

Superintendent Gareth Morris added: “Officers and licencing staff made several attempts to advise the DPS but guidance was ignored and safe working practices were consistently breached. In light of the risks to public safety action was taken accordingly.”

Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull have been made areas of national intervention due to rising infections.

Residents must not meet with people from outside their households or support bubble.

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