Cannabis factory found inside famous Stoke-on-Trent pub (original) (raw)
Police have found a cannabis factory inside one of Stoke-on-Trent's oldest pubs.
Staffordshire Police made the discovery at The Leopard, in Burslem, after reports of suspicious activity at the historic boozer.
Officers attended the venue at 11.40am yesterday (January 17) and found 12 mature cannabis plants and 100 seedlings.
It posed a 'serious fire risk' to neighbouring properties.
The police raid comes months after the Market Place pub was snapped up by Daneets Developments which wants to keep the front of the building as a pub and turn the accommodation into apartments.
But the venue, which has had guests including Josiah Wedgwood, Arnold Bennett and Robbie Williams, remains closed.
Our Burslem founder June Cartwright has been left saddened by the discovery.
She said: "I'm really shocked by it.
"At the end of the day it could have started a fire. The Leopard is an historic building and it could have set fire to other buildings around the town. It's frightening really.
"I made the owner aware of it. It has really bothered me. I love The Leopard. I was born in Burslem and I remember going in there when they had a reception desk for the hotel because my grandad would drink in there and my dad did. It has a lot of family history.
"I used it regularly, I used to go in most weekends and sometimes in the week as well.
A cannabis grow has been found inside The Leopard in Burslem (Image: Staffordshire Police)
"My 90-year-old uncle went to The Leopard and he's heartbroken over it, he said he can't believe it.
"It needs to be looked after. It's my heart's desire to see it back in use. I'm very sad about it."
A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: "Officers from Stoke North Neighbourhood Support Team have uncovered a large cannabis grow and set up inside The Leopard Hotel in Burslem.
"This cultivation posed a serious fire risk to neighbouring properties."
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