A bar that repeatedly breached Covid restrictions during the height of the second lockdown has been refused a new licence to serve alcohol.

Abaco’s Bar-2 on Whippendell Road, had its premises licence revoked in February this year after "repeatedly breaching conditions" which also included complaints about noise disturbance and illegal operating hours. 

There were several noise complaints in both early and late 2020, as well as reports that the business was operating well beyond the hours stated on its licence.

Police also attended three separate incidents - in October, November and December last year – after the bar breached Covid restrictions with staff not wearing PPE, failing to socially distance or serve food, and continuing to open during lockdown.

Watford Borough Council also found the bar had been selling alcohol without a licence in June 2021. 

The application was submitted by Manuela Batista, who said they were in the process of taking over the bar.

However, the council’s licensing sub-committee refused a new licence until it could be assured the former owner would not be involved. 

The committee held last Thursday (September 9) heard the business was served with three fixed penalty notices in relation to alleged breaches of Covid legislation earlier this year, and other breaches of licensing conditions had also been reported.

The committee had heard the police and Environmental Health had made efforts to work with the business, which had placed a “huge pressure” on public services.

A representation made by the police was heard in private, but the chair outlined a number of breaches of their licensing conditions over the past year.

The police also noted the business’ current owner, Manuel Nobrega, was still listed on Companies House as the sole director, as well as within the council’s food business register.

It led the committee to turn down the application, saying the applicant had “failed to show a clear understanding of the licensing legislation”, the need for licensing, and expressed concerns the previous owner may still be connected to the premises.

The committee’s chair councillor Amanda Grimston said: “[The committee] heard evidence of a number of incidents that had occurred at the premises between the period commencing September 2020 and July 2021. 

“The premises opened beyond the licence hours, in breach of licence conditions, there were reports of noise nuisance.

“The police uncovered evidence of alleged breaches in Covid legislation, these breaches were witnessed by police culminating in the premises being served three fixed penalty notices on different occasions. 

“The committee heard how the police and environmental health officers have spent the last at least 12 months trying to engage and work with the premises licence holder.

“The committee heard how this had placed a huge pressure on public services and local police.”

She added, despite the applicant explaining they were in the process of acquiring the premises, there was “no real evidence” to suggest the process had been completed.

The committee said once there was evidence Mr Nobrega was not involved with the business, the applicant could reapply for a licence.

They also urged the business to work alongside the police when submitting a new application.

Cllr Grimston said: “Once you have fully completed the purchase of the premises – you are the sole owner – you can then apply to the council for a licence but please liaise with the police and with the licensing authority in your application.”

In January 2021, the former owner of Abaco’s denied responsibility for the noise complaints, telling the Watford Observer they were “getting the blame for no reason”.

He also said that they were trying their best to follow all Covid-19 restrictions that were enforced over the last year.