Cops ask for pub licence review
POLICE have applied to r e v i ew a P a i s l e y Wetherspoon pub’s licence after insisting bosses must crack down on high levels of drunkenness and violence.
The Last Post in County Square has become the company’s first Scottish pub in history to face having its licence assessed after scores of incidents over the last year involving fights, drugs and abuse of staff and stewards.
At a meeting of Renfrewshire Council’s licensing board, police said staff were not acting quick enough in dealing with customers who were drunk, insisting they had been far too intoxicated on several occasions before anyone had intervened.
They also said the pub’s search policy and stewarding plan needed to be overhauled while expressing concerns about the level of training staff were getting around dealing with drunkenness.
Cops said they were not trying to shut the town centre pub down, but felt it needed to be made safer after they had been called out to a “considerable number” of incidents in the past 12 months.
“Our main issue is the level of violence and intoxication,” said Inspector Paul Cameron at the meeting.
“There is a concern about the level of drunkenness inside the premises and the ability of staff or stewards to have that early intervention. Are we satisfied staff are getting the appropriate level of training?
“There are also concerns about the number of drug seizures. We’re concerned about the search policy in place, which is not working as well as we would expect it to be.”
Incidents which were highlighted by cops – all of which have taken place since August last year – included a fight which broke out after a funeral wake, a bust- up in the female toilets and a rammy outside the pub after someone had asked for a cigarette from a couple of other customers.
Archie MacIver, from JD Wetherspoon’s representatives Brunton Miller Solicitors, insisted all issues had been dealt with appropriately by staff. He added actions have been taken to try and prevent further incidents getting out of hand, such as an upgrade of CCTV and staff being given body cams.
As police had not outlined specific steps they wanted the board to take, members agreed to further consider the matter at a future meeting, with the next one due to take place on November 30.
However, Inspector Cameron outlined he wished to see the pub set out a robust stewarding plan and for staff to keep better tabs on people’s levels of intoxication.
Mr MacIver said the company would liaise with police ahead of the next hearing.
Eddie Gershon, spokesman for JD Wetherspoon, added: “We are pleased the board has allowed the police and the company the opportunity to address the issues raised regarding a number of incidents at The Last Post. We have always worked closely with the authorities when concerns as to the operation of our pubs have been brought to our attention and we will do so here.”