A micro-pub in Ashton-on-Ribble is facing a licensing review following a series of complaints on public nuisance and crime and disorder since it opened in 2020.
Lancashire Constabulary had received reports against Tulketh Tap Room on issues of; drug dealing; fighting; drunken incidents of people leaving the premises and urinating on the street; lack of social distancing measures after lockdown; after-hours drinking and an unwillingness to co-operate with the police.
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PC Stephen Connolly submitted a report to the licensing committee at Preston City Council including details of the dozens of claims against the pub which was operated by Mr Ray Woods.
This summer, on Thursday 28 July, the licensing officer attended Tulketh Tap Room in company with the council’s environmental health team, Mr Woods was not present that day but his bar manager Michelle Falconer was.
PC Stephen Connolly, checked all conditions of the premises license, noting that there was out of date training for all but three members of staff, and that nothing was on display promoting local taxi services.
And noting that there was an incident logbook, but it had not been completed in approximately six weeks and no obvious signage asking customers to leave quietly.
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PC Connolly said: “I then discussed the incident on 19th July, Falconer was somewhat dismissive and claimed that nothing happened at the premises, and it was all on the street.
“I advised her that a customer throwing a chair off the decking into the highway was most definitely classed as linked to the premises and that they weren’t in control of the external area during the incident.
“At this point Environmental Health advised Falconer that they were intending on apply for a review of the premises license due to the continuous noise coming from the premises.”
Toward the end of the report, PC Stephen Connolly, said the license should be revoked: “Lancashire Constabulary respectfully request that the Sub-Committee consider the revocation of the premises licence as the only means to prevent any further negative impact upon the licensing objectives and to provide immediate relief to those residents whose lives have been detrimentally affected by Tulketh Tap Room.”
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A meeting was meant to be held before Preston City Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee, on Friday 18 November, to discuss the review application, although it has been postponed to December.
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Mr Woods told Blog Preston that measures have been instilled at the pub to reduce anti-social behaviour.
He said: “After the application was submitted, I made a decision to stop live music and DJ music which has the noise complaints.
“There has been no anti-social behaviour incidents in the past three months and I can now say that we are promoting the licensing objectives, and I hope I can convince the council at the hearing that this premises can be an asset to the community and be a safe and pleasant place to visit
“I am opening an American style diner next door and hope this exciting new addition to the neighbourhood will be welcomed and wider our clientele.”
A spokesperson for Preston City Council said: “Due to administrative issues, the Licensing Authority has extended the deadline for the licensing sub-committee meeting.
“The postponed meeting has been rescheduled to 12 December 2022.”
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