AN IRISH pub has retained its licence despite being called before the council for serving under-age customers.

Management at Molly Malone’s had review application papers served on them by Sussex Police after two 17-year-olds were served at the bar in West Street, Brighton.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s licensing panel yesterday decided not to revoke the pub’s licence.

Councillors Dee Simson, Lynda Hyde and Denise Cobb took the decision in absence of police representatives. Previous conditions on the pub’s licence were removed and new tougher conditions were introduced, including more stringent guidelines on CCTV usage and Challenge 25 policies.

After the meeting, Councillor Simson said the team was happy with the decision and said the pub would be subject to monitoring by the council and police.

The West Street pub had been called before the licensing panel after the police carried out test purchases.

The operation was carried out after concerns were raised with police licensing officers, including the arrest of an under-age customer in the bar.

A boy and a girl, both aged 17, were allowed into the pub at 8.40pm on Sunday, May 16.

The girl was told by one member of staff: “Go on then. I’ll let you in this time” when she said she had no ID.

Both were served alcohol in front of plain clothes officers. They were not asked for ID at the bar.

Molly Malone’s is owned by Brighton-based company Indigo, which also owns 17 other pubs and bars in the city.

Coun Hyde criticised Sussex Police’s decision to send a letter rather than sending someone to the panel, saying it was a “poor service”.

Coun Cobb said: “It is because of the police we reconvened and they do not have the decency to show up.”

Indigo was contacted by The Argus but did not provide a comment.

Police sergeant Simon Morgan said: “Prior to the review meeting, Sussex Police and the licence owners of Molly Malone’s agreed changes to their licence and to help ensure the venue operates responsibly within the night-time economy within Brighton.”