It's the best pub in Gloucestershire according to ale experts CAMRA, but the quaint drinking spot pub where King Charles stopped by to pull a pint in 2018 and sing its praise could be in danger of losing its licence due to claims that crime on the premises has not been "taken seriously".

A licence review application has been granted by Stroud District Council for the sixteenth-century Fleece Inn, in the picturesque village of Hillesley, which lies two miles south of Wotton-under-Edge.

A statement from the council said that grounds were given for the review under the Licensing Act 2003 due to a claim that "the landlord and landlady of the Fleece Inn have not taken seriously, or taken any steps to address, incidents involving criminality reported to the Police over the previous two years."

It added: The review applicant states that these incidents involved threats with menaces and harassment/intimidation by patrons at the Fleece Inn against other patrons at the Fleece Inn. It is claimed that the 'landlords' have displayed poor management, lack of neutrality and lack of duty of care."

The statement adds that interested parties wishing to make representations for the hearing, which is due in October, have until this Thursday (September 12) to contact SDC's Licensing Section.

The Fleece has seen a chequered business history in the last few decades with a succession of struggling tenants. It was finally rescued from closure as a tied pub in 2011 when it was bought and taken over by 120 villagers who formed the Hillesley Pub Company Ltd.

Financial difficulties soon returned though and the community eventually persuaded community Karen McGeogh and Rod Undy to leave their own successful micro brewery in The Mumbles and take over the tenancy. In September 2021, in the wake of the sad death of Ms McGeogh the previous year, Mr Undy handed the pub over to new landlords Mykel and Rebecca Cameron.

Rebecca Cameron told Punchline-Gloucester.com: "We cannot specifically comment at this time, beyond stating how the Fleece is an inclusive and welcoming pub where we do everything we can for the community, through so many special events including beer festivals, quiz nights and sessions for local musicians."

Six jobs were created by the ongoing business, she added, as well as opportunities for younger members of the community to gain work experience.

● The hearing is scheduled for October 4.