A PUB has had its licence to sell alcohol revoked following a police raid at the business.

Thurrock Council has stripped the Crooked Billet of its licence following a series of early morning raids on the morning of October 5.

The raids at 11 properties, including the pub in Billet Lane, Stanford-le-Hope, a residential property in Goldsmiths Avenue, Corringham, and homes in Basildon and Kent, saw five people arrested.

The landlord closed the bars but kept the building’s function room open for the several community, dance and exercise groups which call it home.

The deadline to appeal losing the pub’s licence expired yesterday.

The site is owned by Thurrock Council and the pub has an existing lease until May 2025, but Stanford-le-Hope West councillor Terry Piccolo says a new owner has taken over the remaining time on the lease.

“The pub has been an important hub for the community for a long time so what has happened has been quite a shock for a lot of people,” he said.

“My understanding is that the lease has since been sold on and it when it changes hands it will not be run as a pub anymore.

“I’ve been told the new owners will be moving in after Christmas and believe that they will be setting up a children’s nursery on the site.”

Following the police operation, the pub was barred from selling alcohol, but still allowed to serve soft drinks and food.

A Thurrock Council spokesman said: “The licence for the Crooked Billet was initially suspended on October 19 and the decision was taken to revoke the license at the Licensing Sub Committee held on November 10.

“The licensee has 21 days to appeal this decision, the license remains suspended during the appeal period.

“This is related to the prevention of crime and disorder.”

All five of those arrested during the raids were charged with conspiring to supply Class A drugs and possession of criminal property.

Paul Austin, 46, of Burnt Mills Road, Basildon, Teresa Kelly, 49, of Chalk End, Basildon, Wesley Nice, 44, of Broomfields, Basildon, Lee Mallin, 41, of Oak Road, Grays, and Darren Wittridge, 44, of Long Riding, Basildon, will appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court at a later date.