A man was the victim of a serious assault at a Birmingham pub, prompting police to call for a review of the venue's premises licence. The incident occurred at The Belle Vue pub on Icknield Port Road in Ladywood shortly after 11pm on Sunday, June 7.
The man was attacked in the beer garden at 11.10pm, and police have classified it as a section 18 offence—wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The victim was taken to hospital with injuries described as not life-threatening.
Police apply for expedited licence review
West Midlands Police has applied to Birmingham City Council's licensing department for a summary, expedited review of the premises licence. Superintendent Karl Thomas stated that the premises were open and conducting licensable activity on the night of the incident. He noted that the beer garden was being used contrary to the operating conditions of the premises licence.
Thomas highlighted serious concerns for the promotion of licensing objectives, citing a previous incident in 2024 where a person was assaulted in the beer garden under similar circumstances. That earlier incident led to an expedited review and resulted in strict restrictions, including a ban on alcohol consumption in the beer garden after 9pm and a requirement that the area be used only for smoking after that time, with use ceasing by 11pm.
Police are now requesting that the premises licence be suspended and the designated premises supervisor removed.
Previous incident at the venue
In 2024, a man was attacked in the smoking area by a group of eight men, three of whom were armed with machetes. The pub was criticised for selling alcohol beyond 11pm, not closing its smoking area, selling alcohol without food, and playing loud music. Following that incident, the pub was given strict conditions, which appear to have been breached in the latest attack.
Council hearing scheduled
The new review will be heard by the city council's licensing sub-committee B on Tuesday, June 16, at 10am.
Police investigation and appeal
West Midlands Police is investigating the wounding and is appealing for witnesses. No arrests have been made yet. A police spokeswoman said officers were called to the venue at 11.15pm on June 7 following reports of an assault. The victim was taken to hospital with injuries that were thankfully not life-threatening. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or use the Live Chat option on the police website, quoting crime number 20/277861/26.
