Pub snookered by darts law

Regulars at The Woodman Inn in like nothing better than to relax with a pint while playing traditional pub games.

But landlady Diane Yates says she has been told her customers could be breaking the law by playing games such as darts, dominoes or pool. The controversy centres around new pub entertainment licenses.

The Cheslyn Hay landlady said officers from South Staffordshire District Council visited the pub last week to inform her of the rules which meant no sports could take place on the premises.

Quickly, in a bid to avoid a brush with the law, the 25-year-old domino group had to be axed, the football team, currently at the top of the league, was threatened with being disbanded, and the darts team had to go elsewhere. She said she was also told the pool table could only be used for matches if taken outside.

Then on Friday she was informed sports could actually be played at her pub as long as she applies for the appropriate licence, but no-one is allowed to watch any games as this would constitute a live sporting event.

She said: "We had the council officers down who told us they can now play but no-one is allowed to watch. This has gone even more ridiculous. What am I supposed to do? Blindfold the regulars?

"We had a couple of complaints since the smoking ban came in and the police had to tell our area manager. It then turned out we didn't have the right licence.

"This rule only came in in 2005 so I am sure there are other pubs who may be affected but don't know.

"I had to pay £1,800 for the original licence and will have to pay for the new one. I was told that I couldn't have music playing, I can have the TV on but with no sound. The regulars can't sing any songs and the sports teams have been banned," she added.

Mrs Yates said she had attempted to get help from her brewery, Scottish and Newcastle, but was told the licence would have to be applied for out of her own pocket.

Annoyed domino player Arthur Shaw, 56, who has been a pub regular for 30 years, said: "When Diane told us we said 'fine let the police arrest us for playing dominoes'. I think this is absolutely ridiculous."

Dad Donovan Hurd, aged 33, who drives from Cannock to the pub regularly, said that his son Taylor, aged four, has developed a love of playing pool.

"This is a quiet family pub and I just can't get my head round it," he said.

"Is it a joke? We even had a table football that we used to have a go on and that has also had to be taken," he added.

Cheslyn Hay Parish Council member Mac Harris said he was sympathetic to the pub's cause but that the issue boiled down to a simple case of not having the right licence.

"The unfortunate thing is she doesn't have the right licence, a licence which only came in a few years ago," he said.

"They will have to make a new application for live music and so they can play sports," explained the parish council member.