Hotshotz bar has licence suspended after drug raid

HOTSHOTZ has had its licence suspended after a police report stated drugs had been sold on site to plain-clothed officers and found in the public bar vicinity.

North Somerset Council temporarily revoked the Weston bar’s licence following the discoveries made ahead of last week’s drug-related crime crackdown.

Hotshotz was one of several addresses targeted, with suspected class A and B drugs found both in the bar area and in licence holder Kashmira Johal’s upstairs flat. The drugs were seized, as was �10,000 in cash.

Police, recommending a licence suspension, wrote to the council outlining what evidence they had collected between March and September this year. It stated extensive traces of drugs had been found and there had been several ‘serious’ assaults at the premises.

Across the town around 100 officers were dispatched as part of the drug-related crime crackdown, resulting in 13 arrests. Eight people have been charged for various crimes, including drug dealing and burglary.

Superintendent Julian Moss from Avon and Somerset police said the licence suspension was for the public’s wellbeing.

He said: “We have listened to the concerns of local people, and taken action which has culminated in the decision taken.

“I hope this demonstrates our commitment to take local people’s concerns very seriously and that we always aim to take appropriate action to respond to those concerns as part of our ongoing campaign to make Weston an even safer place.

“We will await the outcome of the full licensing review hearing with interest.”

Following a unanimous decision, the licence will remain suspended until a full review hearing, planned for next month.