A Macclesfield pub has been ordered to shut temporarily following incidents of violence and disruption at the premises.

The Prince Albert pub on Newton Street was told to close for eight weeks after a closure order application was made at South Cheshire Magistrates Court today (27 October).

PC Matt Bassirat told the hearing that the problems arose after pubs and licensed premises were allowed to reopen on 4 July under the easing of coronavirus restrictions. The Prince Albert was taken under new management during the first lockdown.

The court heard that neighbours in the nearby terrace streets complained about the noise nuisance coming from the pub.

PC Bassirat said: "Things came to a head with a particularly violent incident when a female was kicked in the head. We held a meeting to form an action plan with the premises license holder, Simon Johnson, and the manager, Neil Naylor."

The pub's management was told to monitor the premises with CCTV and log records in an incident book.

A further violent attack was reported to police on 11 September, when a man punched another pub-goer 20 times in the beer garden.

PC Bassirat added: "I went to visit the pub after this incident and there was no incident book or record and the CCTV was to be installed two days afterwards. Mr Naylor couldn't get it into his head that he was responsible for what people did after they spilled out of the pub."

Police also said following the hearing that drug dealing and lock-ins also took place at the premises.

Jo Clark, applying for the order on behalf of Cheshire Police, said that a licensing plan had been put in place to try and work with the manager after disruption and excessive noise was reported by the pub's neighbours.

Ms Clark said: "The order is not opposed by the premises and we've agreed a position to assist them to work with the plan while the pub is closed for two months. During that time the management will work with the Constabulary."

The court heard a new premises supervisor was to be appointed and that checks were to be made on the CCTV equipment and it was also suggested that the pub management should also engage with their neighbours.

The court heard the pub had requested visits by licensing officers during the eight weeks closure, while it was said Covid-secure protocols would be put in place at the premises after police received complaints of opening past the 10pm curfew.

After granting the order, the chairman of the bench, C. Anderton, said: "This is a pub in a heavily built up area of Macclesfield and residents in the vicinity may not only be irritated by these sorts of incidents but frightened."

In s a statement issued after the hearing, Cllr Mick Warren, cabinet member for communities at Cheshire East Council, said: "I regret that this type of enforcement action was needed, but residents in Cheshire East can be assured that the council is working closely with the police to help prevent anti-social behaviour such as this, which impacts on local communities.

"It was without doubt the right course of action to close the premises and it gives the local community peace of mind to know that the council, together with the police, are protecting them.

"Naturally we are keen to work with licensed premises to avoid situations like this happening again in the future."

If anyone is found to have breached a closure order they are liable to be arrested and face up to six months in prison, an unlimited fine or both.