The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Angus bar manager blasted over lockdown ‘lock-in’.
Arbroath manager’s licence endorsed after ‘unacceptable’ breach of lockdown rules
A “reckless” party was held in an Arbroath bar the day after Boris Johnson ordered pubs to close.
Sixteen people gathered in The Pageant on March 21 to “celebrate” the bar being forced to shut the night before.
Police said they attended the Kirk Square pub just before 9pm to find a crowd gathered and the premises manager, Allison Durbridge, behind the bar, just two days before Boris Johnson announced full lockdown on March 23.
At a meeting of Angus Council’s licensing board yesterday, police said the front door was locked and curtains were closed but music could be heard and a fire exit was open.
The officer added: “She (the bar manager) stated she didn’t think she was doing anything wrong and they were having a private party with staff and friends to celebrate the pub closing due to Covid-19.
“Apparently no money was seen changing hands. She was advised this was not in keeping with advice issued by Scottish and UK governments and all people would have to leave.”
The board unanimously agreed to endorse the personal licence of Miss Durbridge, with one councillor, calling the behaviour “totally unacceptable”.
SNP Arbroath councillor Alex King added: “Anyone dealing in the public at that time was aware of the consequences and growing concern of coronavirus.
“I think this was a deliberate flouting of the intentions of lockdown and it should not be let go.”
A written statement to the board by Miss Durbridge said: “I asked staff to attend a meeting to advise them of our plans for anyone going on furlough.
“I also asked a few of our regular customers to come along to help close and have a few drinks that were going out of date. The doors were closed and the drinks were free, so I considered it to be a private party.
“As soon as the police came everyone left and the pub was closed. I apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.”
No action was taken against pub owner Rosemount Taverns, who said they had told tenants to close the bar the previous night and had no knowledge of the party.
Meanwhile, Kevin O’donoghue, premises manager of the Commercial Hotel in Newtyle, escaped unpunished after he was reported to the board by police for having his neighbours into the bar for a drink on March 28.
Police said they attended to find him in the bar area with another man and woman but Mr O’donoghue told the board they were there to discuss refurbishment work on the hotel.