History of failings leads to Boston pub owner's licence application being rejected

A Boston pub owner’s alcohol licencing application has been rejected after his “history of failings” sparked objections from Lincolnshire Police.
The Great NorthernThe Great Northern
The Great Northern

The force said Muhammad Ikram Qutab has shown “complete disregard for the licensing objectives” following a series of reviews and applications associated with the Great Northern and Red Cow pubs since 2012.

Mr Qutab had applied to Boston Borough Council to vary his licence for the Great Northern to make him the designated premises supervisor (DPS).

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A police statement to the licencing sub-committee said Mr Qutab has failed to engage with the police despite five previous review hearings and objections by the force.

“Mr Qutab has repeatedly refused to take any responsibility for the issues highlighted over the many hearings and consistently blames authorities for his failings,” said the statement.

Previous reviews resulted in his licenses being revoked, bans on live and recorded music and other conditions.

In 2014, Mr Qutab was twice given police cautions for allowing unauthorised licensable activity and in December of that year ignored a licensing committee’s decision to refuse multiple temporary event notices by serving alcohol.

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“Knowing the many hearings […] regarding the great concerns around Mr Qutab, he has not approached [council or police] to ask for advice on how to proceed,” said Lincolnshire Police.

“It would be remiss to not highlight his proven history of failing the licensing objectives.”

The sub-committee refused the application at its meeting earlier this month.

Mr Qutab explained how he has experienced some health issues of late, and how he has run a number of licensed premises, and how he cooperates with the police and explained he had undertaken some training in cellar management.

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But Lincolnshire Police urged the sub-committee to refuse the application as they felt Mr Qutab poses a great risk to the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective.

Mr Qutab has owned the pubs as director of two companies since 2005 – AC Properties (Boston) and Drinks & Dine Ltd.

In 2016, Mr Qutab was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay back costs of £1,014.82 after he admitted 30 offences relating to the two pubs being used as HMOs.