A South Yorkshire Pub has been issued with a prohibition notice after it was reported that customers were hiding in cupboards.

It has been reported that “When officers attended the Pitsmoor Hotel on Pitsmoor Road, they found a number of people "hiding in cupboards" according to South Yorkshire Police.

Complaints about the pub trading were made to Sheffield City Council’s licensing department.

John O’Malley, Liquor Licensing Manager at South Yorkshire Police, said: “What makes this more significant, is that the license holder has already been served a prohibition notice under the legislation for another premise, The Staffordshire Arms on Sorby Street.

“Licenses for both venues are now under review by ourselves and Sheffield City Council, so there could be long-term implications for these businesses.”

Cllr Bob Johnson, Cabinet Member for Transport and Development at Sheffield City Council, said: "These restrictions are in place to protect everyone from the spread of coronavirus....[We] will follow up on complaints and take firm action.”

However, the landlord of the two pubs, Paul Greasby, told The Star: “I would not wish to make any comment at this stage other than to say that the press reports are wildly inaccurate.

“In one instance there was no-one in the public house at all and in the other instance the only people in the public house were my son and some of his friends. They were upstairs in the private quarters, no money was taken for any drinks in either instance."

Mr Greasby added: “Neither of these pubs were at the time open to the public. The full detail of what took place on these occasions will be given to the proper licensing authority in due course.”

Source: Local Government Lawyer