Crown Bar Closed

The Crown Bar in Belfast has been closed after it emerged that its current liquor licence has expired.The Great Victoria Street pub has now said it will close temporarily until a hearing to renew the licence takes place on 17 January.It is believed the licence expired in November 2012.Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Pubs of Ulster said: "This is an unfortunate oversight by the licensee Mitchells & Butlers Leisure Limited. We are aware that they took the appropriate course of action as soon as the issue came to light and have decided to close their doors until this issue is resolved."This is not an ideal situation as the Crown Bar is one of Northern Ireland's most iconic and historically important pubs. However it must operate within the law and we are confident that this important asset will be back in operation once the matter is resolved."(IT/JP)