The leaseholder of a popular pub is predicted to appeal the decision of a council to revoke its licence.

Carlisle City Council's licensing sub-committee decided to revoke the licence of the Cumberland Inn on Botchergate, Carlisle on Tuesday after police requested a review.

Licensing Lawyers, which represented leaseholder Gholamreza Mohtashami during the review, has confirmed that it anticipates that he will appeal.

Cumbria Constabulary said that the grounds for the application for the review were in relation to 'increased crime and disorder'.

The police said the application was also in relation to the management of the pub – claiming that it was 'inadequate', 'unprofessional', and had left 'customers and staff at risk of harm'.

According to the city council, an appeal can be made to the Magistrates’ Court 'against the decision of the authority by the responsible authority, interested party or premises licence holder, within 21 days from the date of being notified'.

Mr Mohtashami said: "We are disappointed at the decision given the measures that have been put into place, as well as the commitments made for the future and so are considering an appeal.

"We would very much like to work with the council, landlord and responsible authorities to make sure that they are content with the way that the business operates."

The review application by the police detailed 28 incidents since July 2020 – noting that the period included two national lockdowns due to Covid-19 'when the premises was not permitted to open to the public'.

The details of a number of incidents were given at the meeting, including the breaching of lockdown restrictions, a fight and an assault on members of staff.

A video found on social media and played at the review showed people dancing in the pub – some with their shirts off – at a time when Covid-19 restrictions did not permit dancing in premises and only allowed table service.

On October 17 last year, a police evidence gathering team had also captured further Covid-19 breaches when customers were being served at the bar while it was supposed to be table service only.

On November 16 last year, a fixed penalty notice was served on the pub's leaseholder, Gholamreza Mohtashami, by Environmental Health for failure to comply with the requirements of Tier 1 restrictions.

A number of staff members had also raised concerns about Mr Mohtashami, saying that the management of the pub had put them and members of the public at risk.

On June 26, Mr Mohtashami was said to have allowed a rowdy group back into the premises after they were asked to leave.

A fight involving the rowdy group later broke out in the pub's foyer and members of staff had to intervene.

Jon Payne, who was representing Mr Mohtashami at the review, argued that the incident relating to the fight that broke out in the pub's foyer was responded to 'quite quickly' and said that a number of investments had been made into improving the way incidents at the pub were dealt with.

To the allegation that he had allowed the rowdy group back into the pub against the wishes of his staff, Mr Mohtashami said at the review meeting on Tuesday: "[That] I went outside and [brought] them back [inside] is not true.

"I did not bring anyone who was causing trouble back into my premises."

In reaction to the license of the Cumberland Inn being revoked the licence holders, Punch Pubs & Co said they remain committed to moving the pub forwards.

Paul Donaldson, Operations Manager for Punch Pubs & Co, said: “We can confirm that the premises license at the Cumberland Arms, Carlisle is regrettably set to be revoked, but we remain committed to working positively with the relevant authorities to find an agreeable solution for the pub moving forwards.”