A Bangor pub described as a “focal point of unacceptable behaviour and disorder,” will be forced to employ door staff on weekends and install more CCTV cameras following a licence review hearing.

The Waverley Hotel will also be made to train staff after footage of under-age drinking was shown to councillors.

Tuesday morning’s hearing was held on the request of North Wales Police following reported failures to comply with current licensing conditions, including the maintenance of Covid-19 controls.

With police having highlighted “a number” of issues, members were told that an earlier recommendation to employ door staff every Friday and Saturday night was “generally ignored.”

The report also noted other contraventions including CCTV not covering all areas and under-age drinkers found to be served  alcohol without any challenge about their age.

Individuals barred under the Pubwatch scheme were also found drinking on the premises and a CCTV recording from September showing “many serious offences” in relation to social distancing and Covid-19 regulations, said to “expose staff and customers to the potential of significant risks viral transmission.”

Addressing the committee, licensee Hayley Meek said that “many” fake IDs were circulating around Bangor and the pub had closed early on the evening of the Covid-19 and social distancing breaches last September after bar staff were “unable to control” revellers.

She also appealed to the committee to allow her to use personal discretion on when door supervisors should be used, claiming it would be not viable to employ them every weekend if there were only a few customers.

Solicitor Michael Strain, representing Ms Meek, said there was a third party “determined to effectively put her out of business” and “behaving maliciously,” while referring to a 2,500 name petition “full of falsehoods” calling on the pub to be shut down.

But Inspector Chris Hargrave of North Wales Police noted that CCTV evidence showed a 17 year old being served alcohol “without challenge” by more than one staff member, with  an investigation finding that four under-aged drinkers were served in total.

CCTV footage from September also showed revellers dancing and not adhering to social distancing, which prompted the issuing of a premises improvement notice.

“While the premises clearly does have cameras, the issue is that there’s not full coverage as per the licence conditions,” added Inspector Hargrave, confirming that two people already on Pubwatch had been found drinking on site with several reports of people fighting outside.

Mr Strain said that bar staff did not recognise those reported to be on Bangor’s Pubwatch scheme, with police confirming that the 10pm closure during lockdown restrictions was adhered to.

Among the recommendations approved by Gwynedd Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee were for at least two door supervisors to be on site every Friday and Saturday night and significant improvements to the CCTV system and the release of any footage captured.

Training will also have to be provided for staff to ensure a full understanding of the law in terms of under-age drinking and implementation of “Challenge 25.”

Following the review, Inspector Hargrave said: “I am grateful to the licensing committee for hearing the application and agreeing to the amendments to the licence conditions.

“It’s important that all licensees understand their responsibility and compliance with the conditions set out.  Public safety as well as prevention of crime and disorder are key to the management of licensed premises.

“We will continue to provide support to businesses in partnership with our local authority colleagues in what is a challenging time for all involved.”

In response, Ms Meek said: “I’m happy to work with Gwynedd Council and North Wales Police and, following the review, will be employing qualified door supervisors every Friday and Saturday night.

“Since taking over the reigns some two years ago, I have strived to improve the standards operated by the hotel.

“We now run a carvery service and are upgrading the whole establishment despite the huge challenge caused to the hospitality sector by the virus.

“As the economy recovers from Covid 19 we hope to continue improving in the months and years to come.”