The Crown Bar in Belfast is to reopen to the public after it renewed its licence

THE historic pub which lost its cheer last week will open for business again for business on Thursday.

A hearing at Belfast Magistrates’ Court was due to be held on Friday for the renewal.

However, that was brought forward to today when it was renewed without any objections.

The pub was forced to close its doors last Friday after an “administrative oversight” had meant that the licence to sell alcohol on the premises had lapsed almost a year ago.

In a statement, the Crown bar saiA spokesperson for the Crown said: “We are absolutely delighted that the licence has been renewed and that the Crown is open for business again.

“Our investigation into the circumstances surrounding the licence expiration is still ongoing, but we have already taken steps to ensure this does not happen again.”

Two other pubs – the Great Eastern and the Cock and Hen in east Belfast – were also forced to close their doors last week after their licences were not renewed.