A PUB could been shut down for good for flouting coronavirus restrictions.

Colchester Council’s licensing sub-committee has been asked by Essex Police to revoke the premises licence of The Anchor, in Station Road, Tiptree.

In documents, published ahead of the hearing, Essex Police’s licensing officer Alan Beckett has laid bare why the review has been launched.

The report says licensee Anthony Parker was first warned in July for not displaying his premises licence.

Then officers visited the pub on August 1 and found about 70 customers inside not following social distancing guidelines.

A Community Protection Notice was issued the next day and a warning letter from Public Health England was sent.

The report says the pub had been operating up to this point without a Covid risk assessment in place.

At about 10.30pm on December 18, officers attended the premises again following up on information from the public.

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The doors were locked and the curtains closed but the report describes a “party atmosphere” inside.

Upon entry officers found loud music playing and a number of people who appeared to be hiding.

Some of those present admitted there had been a “lock in” in progress.

A closure notice was issued on December 21 but when the pub was able to reopen, two days later, police had to disperse two groups from two households from the premises.

Mr Beckett said: “The premises management has been the recipient of several warning letters, a community protection warning and a closure order. Yet despite these it is alleged the premises management permitted and committed criminal offences relating to breach of the various coronavirus regulations.

“Breaches of the criminal law regarding the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003 are also alleged to have taken place including non-display of the premises licence and the sale of alcohol to intoxicated persons and that drunken persons have been permitted to remain on the premises contrary to legislation.”

Colchester Council’s licensing sub-committee will meet on Tuesday to make a decision on the application.

An application has been submitted to transfer the licence to Kaye Murphy, but Essex Police have objected. A separate hearing will be held.