A BRADFORD university student has raised concerns about whether a planned event will go ahead next month at a well-known bar, restaurant and wedding venue in the wake of the venue’s premises licence being suspended.
Last week, it emerged that Calderdale Council had received an application from West Yorkshire Police for a summary review of the premises licence for Casa, on Elland Road in Brighouse.
At a meeting on August 8, councillors agreed to suspend the licence immediately pending a full review.
A premises licence authorises activities including the sale or supply of alcohol, the provision of public entertainment, and the provision of late-night hot food and drink.
Last week, West Yorkshire Police said that on Monday, August 5, officers “were called to assist with a warrant on behalf of an energy supplier at premises in Elland Road, Brighouse”.
A spokesperson said: “Officers attended and arrested a man on suspicion of abstracting electricity. Further enquiries are being made.”
In an update on Monday, a spokesperson told the Telegraph & Argus: “Enquiries are ongoing into these matters and a man arrested on suspicion of abstracting electricity and production of cannabis has been released under investigation.”
They added: “A 17-year-old male who was also arrested in connection with these matters has been charged with production of cannabis. He has since appeared before magistrates and was bailed to appear at Bradford Crown Court at a later date.”
A public notice on Calderdale Council-headed paper, states the summary review was requested as “in the opinion of a senior police officer, the premises are associated with serious crime/disorder.”
The ongoing questions around the Casa’s licence have prompted concern amongst those who have events booked.
The University of Bradford student said a graduation ball is booked there for September 13 and is due to be attended by nearly 300 people.
The woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “We have just qualified as nurses from the University of Bradford.
“We were meant to have our graduation ball at Casa Brighouse on September 13 where the whole cohort of around 250 to 300 students was meant to attend.”
“Each student paid £40 for a ticket and then another £40 if we wanted to bring a plus one - this went towards the venue, entertainment, food and gifts, however we have now been left in the dark...now we don't know if we will get the graduation ball we deserve after three hard years of training.”
“The worst thing is we haven't heard anything from Casa to tell us the news,” she added.
“We don't even know if we will get our money back to book another venue in time.”
She told the T&A: “We’re just assuming it’s going ahead. We tried to get in touch but no one has got back.”
Over the weekend, Casa posted a message on its Facebook page saying it was “open as usual” to serve food and while alcohol would not be available, people were “welcome to bring your own”.
The post said: "Attention, everyone!
"We've noticed some recent rumours, so we wanted to set the record straight.
"Yes, we are open as usual and ready to serve you all the delicious food you love!
"However, please note that alcohol won't be available at the moment.
"But don't worry, you're welcome to bring your own!
"We can't wait to see you here - come hungry and ready for a great time!"
In a statement last week, Calderdale Council said: "Last week, we received an application from West Yorkshire Police for a summary review of Casa's premises licence, on the basis that the statutory licensing objectives are not met.
"At the Council's Licensing Subcommittee meeting on Thursday, August 8, councillors agreed that Casa's licence would be suspended immediately pending a full review of the licence.
"We will carry out the review within the next month, which will involve looking into whether the business is being managed and operated in line with its licence conditions and the Licensing Act 2003.
"Representations from interested parties can be made until Friday, August 23, 2024, by emailing licensing@calderdale.gov.uk."
The T&A approached Casa for comment but no response has yet been received.
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