A PUB at the centre of a storm of allegations over drink and drugs has had its licence revoked.

After a list of accusations, including cocaine behind the bar, drinkers assaulting police officers and the licence holder being arrested for being drunk and disorderly, a decision was made to revoke the Harbour View pub’s licence.

The owner and management of the pub in Wellington Road, Portslade, appeared before Brighton and Hove City Council’s licensing committee on Monday.

Despite insisting the pub had changed and was becoming a “community hub” since a management shake-up in August, the panel opted to revoke the premises’ licence.

Owner and licence holder Artan Bika blamed his lack of experience and untrained staff for the problems.

After a police test purchase, when alcohol was sold to a 16-year-old girl, a complete overhaul of the pub’s management was undertaken on August 11.

The new staff, featuring experienced designated premises supervisor William Seed, had pledged to “wipe out” everything from the pub’s past and get the pub back on track.