Brewery bans cash at its pubs after third break-in
A Bath brewery has been forced to make a tough decision after a recent burglary at one of its pubs.
Abbey Ales will no longer accept cash in a bid to deter any more thieves from breaking into its premises.
The move, which came into effect last Thursday, comes after three burglaries in two years for the brewery’s pubs.
The first two were at the Coeur de Lion on Northumberland Place, while the third happened last week at The Assembly Inn on Alfred Street.
Abbey Ales’ managing director Alan Morgan told how the break-ins had impacted the business.
“We have only just managed to do the repairs at the Coeur de Lion, and now this happens. It’s not just the cost of losing the money, it’s the damage they do, trying to find a builder to repair it and the excess on the insurance.
“During this most recent burglary at The Assembly Inn, they stole around £1,000worth of cash and spirits.
“The cellar doors were broken into in the downstairs bar and once they got into the cellar they broke into the office where the money was.
“It’s still early days so we are not sure yet how this will affect our insurance. It is due to be renewed at Christmas, so we won’t find out until then what it will be,” he explained.
Mr Morgan, who has managed the brewery for 25 years, said the excess charges were £1,000 each on the building insurance and the internal insurance. With finances tight across the hospitality sector, something must change to deter future burglars from targeting his pubs.
“We will only be accepting card payments from tomorrow. It’s not something we wanted to do, but we’ve been left with no choice.
“Hopefully, it will deter thieves from breaking into our premises, and even if it doesn’t, at least there will be no cash there for us to lose,” he said.
Abbey Ales was founded in 1997 and won six gold Taste of the West awards this year for its bottled beers.
The brewery owns three pubs in Bath – The Star Inn, The Assembly Inn and the Coeur de Lion.
The Bath Chronicle contacted Avon and Somerset Police for comment on the recent burglary at The Assembly Inn. A spokesman said: “Officers are investigating after we received a call following a burglary at the Assembly Inn, on Alfred Street in Bath, at around 1.30am on Monday, August 29.
“The offenders made off with alcohol and some cash from the site.
“Inquiries are ongoing. If you were in the area and saw anything suspicious, please call 101 and quote reference number 5222208399.”