THE LANDLADY has left a pub which was closed after a mass brawl.

And the Jubilee, Blakey Moor, Blackburn, will remain closed until owner Thwaites Brewery, which is now refubishing the premises, finds a new licensee to replace Nicola King.

The Jubilee was closed by police on December 21 following a fight involving 30 people.

Blackburn magistrates court later heard that glasses and bottles were thrown, terrifying the other 200 Christmas revellers in the pub.

More than 20 police officers were called in to tackle the incident.

At the hearing the magistrates ordered the pub to remain shut for 28 days or until the review of the licence had been carried out.

A decision to revoke or remove the person in charge of the licence or to modify, suspend or reinstate its conditions was due to be taken by Blackburn with Darwen council's licensing sub-committee at a meeting tonight.

But just days before the meeting Thwaites surrendered the Jubilee's licence to the licensing authority.

This means the Jubilee no longer has a licence and therefore cannot open as a premises which serves alcohol.

During the meeting councillors on the sub-committee said Thwaites' move to surrender the licence to the council was a 'responsible' move.

Solicitor Craig Fairbrother, of Napthens Solicitors, Blackburn, who acted on behalf of Thwaites said the Jubilee was currently being refurbished and bosses were in talks with the police about a new licence to prevent future incidents.

Chair Coun Konrad Tapp said: "In view of the case there is no application to review.

"I think the brewery have done the right thing.

"Their actions shows they are committed to the public .

"It was very responsible of them and they have to get the right landlord or landlady."

It was mentioned at the meeting that one of the options under a new licence application could include a landlord or landlady with a minimum of five years' experience.

Coun Yusuf Jan-Virmani said: "Conditions need to be put on the premises when it reopens.

"We have to strike a balance about what is good for the area.

"We have to keep businesses open otherwise it brings the area down."