THURROCK Council has broken its silence over the temporary closure of Stanford-le-Hope's Railway Tavern – the second pub in the town it forced to shut down prior to Christmas.

However, the authority was forced to backtrack and – following a meeting of its licencing sub-committee – allowed the Tavern, in the town centre, to reopen, albeit under conditions.

Stanford-le-Hope councillor Gary Collins chaired the meeting and fellow members on the committee were Cllr Shane Ralph and Cllr Cathy Kent.

The other pub forced to close after an instruction from the same sub-committee, because of its alleged links to crime and disorder, was the Crooked Billet on Billet Lane.

The Tavern was shut in November, as reported by Thurrock Nub News, but reopened on Thursday, 8 December. The council held a meeting of the sub-committee behind closed doors the night before but had declined to comment on allegations against the pub, its operators or reasons for the action it had taken. During the meeting Essex Police were asked to present a summary of their case to members.

After adjourning for a short period the committee agreed to revoke the suspension and restore the premise licence with immediate effect.

The Tavern business is owned by site leaseholder Mrs Ann Renoldi, 76, but it appears the council's concern is with her son, Simon, a former director of the business who is no longer linked with the company.

Mr Renoldi was charged by police in 2021 on two counts of conspiracy to supply drugs. He has robustly protested his innocence and denied the charges.

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18 months later a crown court trial is still waiting to take place and Mr Renoldi has been released on bail in the interim and is continuing to pursue his business interests.

Despite no proven criminality against Mr Renoldi in the wake of the police investigation, Thurrock Council made the decision to shut down the pub, but Nub News understands it found itself in an invidious position when it came to analysing its decision based on advice, not evidence.

However, the council still points the finger at Mr Renoldi and in a statement issued today (Tuesday, 3 January) says: "The interim step of suspension of the premises licence was revoked and the licence restored with immediate effect, with the additional condition that Mr Simon Renoldi will not be permitted on the premises or the adjoining office or the garden or carpark or employed at the premises in any capacity, not have any involvement, whether directly or indirectly in the operation of the premises, nor become a director of the leasehold company Railway Tavern (Stanford Le-Hope) Ltd."

It remains unclear from the council what its position is on the Crooked Billet, which used to host local community groups including dancers and keep fit classes. The pub's function room currently plays host to the Little Bunnies childcare service.