A notorious pub is in the “last chance saloon” after having its licence reviewed.

A licensing sub-committee met at Hendon Town Hall to discuss the future of the McGowans pub, in Cricklewood Lane, Cricklewood.

During the past 16 months, police have recorded 21 crimes at the pub – the majority of which involved alcohol-fuelled violence.

In April, a man had two glasses thrown at him as he was walking past the pub, while in July police officers were called after a man threw a bin from the street through the pub window, because staff would not serve him.

People have also been assaulted inside the pub, and a man was robbed in the toilets.

The licence review was triggered last month, after the temporary bar manager was arrested on November 13 for allegedly assaulting his partner outside the pub. He is currently on bail.

On an application for a review of the pub’s licence, police officers expressed concerns about poor management, drunkenness, violence and lack of CCTV, and described the pub as a “crime hot spot” which seemed to be “spiralling out of control”.

A hearing on November 27 suspended the pub’s licence until January 2.

At the meeting today, committee members agreed to continue the suspension until January 2, while the pub met a number of conditions.

These include improving CCTV, security and staff training.

Speaking during the meeting, Ian Stebbings, counsel for McGowans, sought to assure the committee the conditions would be met.

He said: “McGowans would never agree if they thought they were likely to fail. In the event of another review, they will lose their license. It’s in their interest to adhere to the conditions.

“My instructions are they can be put in place. It gives them the Christmas period to put all these into place. They could open up today, but we are asking you to continue the suspension. It gives much more time.”

Speaking afterwards, Councillor Brian Salinger said: “I trust it will work out. If it doesn’t, I have no doubt I, or my colleagues, will have no hesitation in removing the licence. They are on their last chance.

“It’s a horrific crime report, but the police have come to an agreement as to how to improve the situation. It’s the last chance saloon.”