“The conditions are fairly old. The agreement is to update them to a modern set of operating standards”
A pub near Morecambe Football Club which screens big TV sports events including boxing and, in the past, reportedly experienced issues with Travellers can stay open late at weekends.
The William Mitchell pub, near Westgate, has been given permission to sell alcohol until 2am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with opening hours ending at 2.30am. But managers must assess security staff and other needs for big events or especially busy times, under new licensing conditions.
The licensing changes came after pub firm Punch Taverns applied to vary them at a lancaster-city-council>Lancaster City Council licensing meeting and police recommended a set of new conditions. The Glentworth Road West pub’s designated premises supervisor is named as Patricla Ulyatt,
POLICE INPUT
In a written report produced before, Lancashire Police had said the William Mitchell should assess security needs for funeral wakes, sports events, St Patrick’s Day, holidays, periods of community ‘high tension’ and days known as ‘black-eye Fridays’ – very busy days before Christmas. Other proposed conditions include CCTV arrangements, the Challenge 25 system for young-looking customers and zero-tolerance for drugs.
However, no police attended the council meeting on Friday (January 12). This concerned or surprised some councillors.
Labour Coun Philip Bradley said: “”Has there been trouble at the premises before, which the police have had to attend? I’m disappointed that the police have not come today.”
In reply, council licensing officer David Eglin said: “The police have not said so. I think they are happy to have the conditions agreed. Given there has been 28 days’ consultation and talks between the police and TLT Solicitors [representing Punch Taverns} we were made aware of the outcome and asked to put these suggested conditions before councillors.”
Conservative Coun Andrew Gardiner said: “In the last couple of years, are you aware of any issues regarding complaints from residents?”
Mr Eglin replied: “There have been no complaints from anyone.”
Piers Warne, a lawyer representing Punch Taverns, and Neil Gazzard, operations manager for Punch in the north-west, were at the meeting.
Mr Warne said: “I fully understand questions about why the police are not here? But when proposed conditions can be agreed between the police and a licensed premises, many councils can deal with things this way [without police attending]. We are more than happy to address any issues here.”
EVENTS AT THE PUB
Regarding the pub’s licence conditions before the changes, Mr Warne said: “The conditions are fairly old. The agreement is to update them to a modern set of operating standards, regarding CCTV and risk assessments for door supervisors for high-risk football matches. It’s near the football ground.
“The landlady and landlord already pro-actively manage things. Tricia and Steve [Ulyatt] have been there a long time. It’s very much a community pub with a good wine and food offer. They also work very hard for that community ‘vibe’ and can hold events.
“As you are aware, there are no issues raised at all by residents. I think a few years go there were some issues with travellers, which the police were engaged with. But I don’t think anybody has suggested it was not handled properly. These things happen. But that was a long time ago.
“People are happy to go to the pub. I use the ‘family test’. Would I be happy to take my mother there for food? Yes. If she was unhappy, I’d know. It’s a good rule-of-thumb,” Mr Warne added.
Previously, the William Mitchell had sometimes applied for special event licences to the council. But these were time-consuming and costly. Now, it wanted updated conditions to cover all scenarios and offer some flexibility for late nights.
Mr Warne also told the councillors: “I would remind you of guidance. It effectively says police officer are experts on crime and disorder issues, so we should take them very seriously. You should give them your attention. And decisions must be based on evidence. There are no issues or evidence of disorder around the pub. I ask you to support this application.”
BOXING AND TYSON FURY
Coun Andrew Gardiner said: “I know boxing is big in Dubai at 1am in the morning? Will these late nights at the pub be every week or occasional?”
Mr Warne replied: “It allows for flexibility. If there’s a big boxing event on, from Dubai or whatever, or if a group comes in wanting to celebrate later on a Friday night, for example. Or community events, parties or Christenings.”
On the boxing theme, he added: “Everybody who comes to Morecambe tells me I’ll bump into Tyson Fury here. Boxing fights in Las Vegas tend to start later at night, so the pub would still have to apply for a special licence.”
Regarding outdoor space at the pub, Punch regional manager Neil Gazzard said: “There are occasional outside events. Steve and Trish have done the odd daytime event outside and there’s a marquee. They had some recent conversations about buying a new one.”
Councillors also said they recognised the pub managers, Steve and Tricia Ulyatt, do a lot of good community work.
After discussions, Green Coun Sally Maddocks, chairwoman of the licensing sub-committee, said the application for amended conditions was approved by councillors. Full details will be published by the city council.
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