THE future of a pub with a history of violence and drug dealing will be decided by councillors after it was forced to close for three months.

The Crown in Simms Lane, Netherton, was shut last year after police reported that violence and criminal activity had ‘spiralled’ at the premises.

The pub is opposite The Link Academy secondary school, formerly Hillcrest School, in a largely residential area.

It was forced to shut its doors after two men were seriously injured in a machete attack in October 2018.

A closure order was granted by Wolverhampton Magistrates in November after hearing it had been the scene of fighting and violent attacks and police officers had to deal with drug dealing, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage outside the pub.

Members of Dudley Council’s licensing sub-committee will now meet on January 18 to decide the long term future of the premises.