**Merthyr Tydfil Pub Forced to Close After License Revoked Over Sale of Stolen Goods**
A well-known Merthyr Tydfil establishment has been ordered to shut its doors after authorities discovered a pattern of stolen goods being traded on its premises. The Wyndham Arms, located on Glebeland Street, will lose its operating licence following an extensive investigation by South Wales Police and a decision by the local council’s licensing committee.
The closure comes in the wake of repeated concerns raised by police regarding the pub’s involvement in the local shoplifting problem. Evidence presented to the committee indicated that individuals involved in retail theft were regularly taking stolen merchandise—ranging from meat to other goods—to the pub to sell to customers on site.
The matter came to a head after an incident on 22 March, where Kevin Jones, the pub’s licence-holder and designated premises supervisor, was found purchasing stolen items from a known shoplifter. In a subsequent police interview, Jones admitted he was aware the goods were stolen and later accepted a formal police caution on 20 May, according to the official decision notice.
Further examination revealed the issue was not new. The authorities produced an earlier warning letter, sent to Jones in October of the previous year, referencing “continuous” criminal activity associated with the premises. Despite increased police engagement, reports of stolen items changing hands at the pub persisted. PC Steve Moseley, representing the police at the committee hearing, documented the specific efforts the force had made to sever these criminal links but raised concerns that Jones had not fully cooperated.
PC Moseley also described two more incidents of stolen goods being sold inside the pub, one on 13 May (a week after the licence review began) and another on 17 June, notably a month after Jones received his formal police caution. Despite Jones insisting he has tried to stamp out such practices, the committee was not persuaded that his actions were sufficient.
In their findings, the committee concluded there was either a significant lack of control over what happened at the bar, or, more troublingly, an absence of concern for the law. They stated, “either way, his actions failed to convince the sub-committee that Kevin Jones was capable of driving positive change at the premises.” The authorities determined that maintaining the current management structure, with Jones as both licence-holder and supervisor, would not prevent further breaches of licencing objectives designed to prevent crime and disorder.
It was noted that while the exterior of the Wyndham Arms was monitored by CCTV, blind spots inside the pub remained unaddressed, even after being highlighted by police. Furthermore, no additional proposed measures—such as putting up signs warning against the purchase of shoplifted goods—were implemented by Jones, despite receiving clear recommendations from authorities in October 2024.
The committee debated universal options, including a temporary suspension or simply removing Jones as supervisor. However, as he held both the premises licence and the supervisor role, removing one without the other would have little effect. The committee also pointed out that the interests of the broader community must outweigh those of any one individual or licence-holder, especially concerning the widespread impacts of shoplifting on local businesses and shoppers.
In the end, the licensing panel determined that fully revoking the premises licence—and closing the pub—was the only effective way to disrupt the cycle of shoplifting and illegal sales. Suspending the licence was considered but ultimately rejected over concerns that criminal behaviour would simply resume upon reopening under the same management.
This decision not only highlights the profound challenges posed by retail crime in communities like Merthyr Tydfil but also demonstrates the seriousness with which local authorities and police are prepared to act when licensed premises are found to be facilitating or failing to prevent unlawful activity. The closure of the Wyndham Arms serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities faced by those who operate public establishments and the potential consequences of failing to uphold them.