The Garden House in Fakenham is having it's licence reviewed by North Norfolk District Council following Police concerns.

A popular Fakenham nightspot could have its licence taken away due to police concerns about drug use, violence and noise levels at the venue.

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The Garden House, formerly The Limes, is to have its licence reviewed by North Norfolk District Council’s licensing team, following a request from Norfolk Police.

A public hearing will be held at the district council’s offices in Cromer on July 13 and a public consultation is now under way.

People have until June 15 to contact the council and give their views about The Garden House, which is on Bridge Street, in the heart of Fakenham.

The review will result in one of three scenarios: the licence could be removed completely, the council could impose conditions on the licence or it could decide that no action is necessary.

A report compiled by Norfolk Police’s Licensing Team states: “Local police officers are of the opinion that the venue continues to present a high risk to its patrons and the wider community that use and live in the area of Bridge Street.

“They consider that action must be taken to reduce that risk by amending the permissions for licensable activities and imposing realistic and reasonable permissions within the premises licence.”

Police say the management team at The Garden House has frequently breached licensing conditions, particularly with its requirement for door staffing numbers, and officers are called out to deal with crime and anti-social behaviour there far more often than at any other licensed premises in the town.

They state that, despite continual dialogue with manager Jonathan George, the situation has not improved.

Police want Mr George to be removed and the pub’s licence to be suspended for three months to allow time for him to be replaced and staff to be trained on licensing matters.

They also want the opening hours to be restricted to 11pm closing and CCTV cameras to be installed at the pub, which is opposite Albany House Care Home, and operates as a night club-type venue at weekends.

A spokesman for Horizon Inns, which owns The Garden House, said: “During this consultation period with the local authority we don’t feel we should comment, however, our aim, as always, is to co-operate with the relevant authorities in the operation of the establishment.”

Mr George did not wish to comment.