What is happening with Casa Brighouse: Popular wedding and events venue where cannabis farm was found gets licence back on condition it is run by new owner who owns other Calderdale pubs

Members of Calderdale Council’s licensing committee heard The Andersen Group has agreed a deal to buy the well-known wedding and events venue on Elland Road, Brighouse.

After learning of a successful transfer of the licence, to Mr Kenneth John Paul Andersen and with a new designated premises supervisor, Mr Anthony Hodges, also approved, councillors lifted the venue’s licence suspension after hearing the new owners will run it with a new ethos.

West Yorkshire Police and other responsible authorities including Calderdale Council, who have spoken with Mr Andersen and his team about the sale and their plans for Casa, withdrew their requests that the licence be revoked, the meeting on Tuesday (September 3) heard.

It will now open again by the weekend, councillors were told.

But councillors imposed conditions on lifting the suspension, including that selling owner, Jack McDaid of Castelite Limited, or his family are no longer involved at Casa.

Counsel for West Yorkshire Police, Daniel Penman-Wise, told councillors police had attended the premises early in August in relation to illegal use of power supplies – electric and gas.

He told the meeting that cannabis plants were discovered on the premises and inquiries were being made into men found tending this, including issues involving modern slavery.

Two arrests had been made relating to incidents, the meeting heard.

The police believed that given the serious nature of issues being investigated, licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder and ensuring public safety were being breached, prompting their initial request for the licence to be revoked, councillors heard.

But they were told by Mr Penman-Wise that Mr Andersen’s company is experienced in running venues and is a reputable company.

Addressing the meeting, barrister Duncan Craig, for Mr Andersen, said the company was established across Yorkshire and it was already running long-standing Calderdale venues The Prospect Inn in Halifax, The Grove Inn in Rastrick and The Rock in Holywell Green.

“Paul and Tony have over 70 years of experience in the licensing trade,” he said.

Councillors on the committee said incidents at Casa had been difficult for residents for some time and they must come first.

They had also heard worried residents’ concerns about issues of noise and nuisance.

Elland ward councillor Angie Gallagher said: “They have basically been terrorised in their own homes.

“My main concern is the residents and I do believe they have been let down in all this.”

Mr Andersen said there would be a big change in ethos, with late night raves out and family meals in, and residents welcome to come and talk to him.

“We’re not interested in the sort of events they have been doing,” he said.

Mr Craig said of the new team: “They understand the issues there and fully appreciate that bridges need to be built with local residents and responsible authorities.”

Parking and noise management plans must be put in place as part of the licence suspension being lifted.

And, amid closing questioning from councillors, Mr Andersen pledged to work with the relevant authorities to resolve ongoing issues related to Casa, including over sewerage.