Pub's new boss will cut late-night hours
The new management of a pub have agreed to cut its late-night opening hours after complaints of crime and disorder. Staffordshire Police were called to the Railway Inn in Clay Street, Penkridge, on a number of occasions.
This followed a catalogue of licence breaches. These included the late night supply of alcohol leading to violence, noise nuisance and holding unauthorised events. It was also trading without a designated premises supervisor. But new management has taken over this month.
New licensee Beverley Hammerton agreed to introduce reduced hours.
A South Staffordshire Council licensing review hearing was held recently where the restrictions were agreed.
Drinks should now only be served until 11pm on weekdays and until 11.30pm on Friday and Saturday. It previously opened as late as 1.30am on a weekend.
Ms Hammerton agreed to bring in the new hours immediately. She said: "The change to the premises licence takes 21 days after the hearing, however we wanted to implement them before this."
Insp Jed White, head of Staffordshire Police's licensing unit, said the reduction of the pub's opening hours would help alleviate any issues in the future. But he warned the licence would be revoked if problems continued. "Local residents can rest assured that we will be monitoring the situation very closely," he said.
"Our licensing unit works very closely with partners and licensees to ensure that conditions are not breached and that people can enjoy themselves in safety."
Councillor Kath Perry, chairwoman of the district licensing committee, said: "We work closely with the police on licensing issues.
"We want to support our pub trade – but when problems arise, especially around under-age drinking or anti-social behaviour, we'll step in and take whatever actions we feel appropriate."
