Landlord defends food ‘sport’ event held at pub
COMPLAINTS OVER EATING CONTEST
A LANDLORD has defended hosting a competitive eating challenge in his pub during lockdown, saying it was an elite sport.
Craig Harker received a call from the council after complaints were made over an eating competition that was held at the The George Pub and Grill on the High Street in Stockton.
The event, which went ahead on Saturday, was in conjunction with the British Eating League, but a complaint was lodged after concerns it was in breach of lockdown rules.
However Mr Harker, who pub, hit back at those that complained and insists no rules were broken.
Government guidelines state that hospitality venues such as restaurants and pubs must close, with the exception of providing food and drink for takeaway.
But venues are permitted to be open for a small number of exempt activities, including for elite sportsmen and women to train and compete.
Mr Harker says he adhered to the guidelines as he classes competitive eating as an elite sport.
He told the Sunday Sun: “On Saturday we ran a British Eating League event from the pub during the national lockdown. The venue was closed to the public and only the TV production crew and athletes were allowed on the premises.
“The Government guidelines state that elite sports can continue during lockdown and there is no higher league in competitive eating than the British Eating League.
“Food Sports TV also ran the production side and as Government guidelines state all TV production can continue.
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“A Covid risk assessment was carried out and advice was given from UKCEO and CEGA who are the UK’S Governing body of competitive eating.”
In a video posted on his Facebook page shortly after receiving a call from the council on Monday, Mr Harker said he would not “be bullied” into “not doing events”.
He said: “We were watched by five million people last month, how many sports are not seen by that many?
“We are entertaining, and we are entertaining everyone during lockdown and we’ll continue to do that.
“So I won’t be bullied into not doing events, I don’t really appreciate phone calls to question it, and question whether it’s a sport when that’s a matter of opinion.
“Other people’s opinions aren’t relevant. It’s entertaining, it’s safe and as long as the Government guidelines state what we can do, we will do it.”
Despite inquiries being made, the council confirmed that no further action would be taken against the pub.
A Stockton Council spokesperson said: “A complaint was received by our licensing team regarding the supply of food on the premises, which is currently restricted by national lockdown arrangements. “Officers made inquiries and quickly established that no licensable activity took place on the premises at this time, and so no further licensing action will be taken.”
Mr Harker is no stranger to controversy, with the council threatening to strip the premises of its alcohol licence last year after various questionable marketing stunts.
And more recently, in June, he posted a brutally honest job advertisement in the hope of hiring new employees. In the advert, applicants were warned that they would be working for an ‘a*******’.”
We were watched by five million people last month, how many sports are not seen by that many?
CRAIG HARKER