Pub licences suspended

Jan 29 2010 by Kenneth Speirs, Paisley Daily Express

LAST orders were called at two pubs as licensing chiefs took a tough stance on safety.

Renfrewshire Council temporarily suspended the licence at the Madagascar bar in Wellmeadow Street, Paisley, for a fortnight after police were called to investigate complaints about alleged drunken disorder.

A police report to the councils Licensing Board explained that officers were driving past the pub formerly known as Whiskey Joes on September 5 last year when they heard loud music which they considered to be unacceptable.

And, on October 5, cops saw Madagascar customers flouting the law as they drank from pint tumblers and bottles while standing outside to smoke.

On a third occasion, officers saw several drunken customers, including some who were singing karaoke songs that ended with Celtic slogans being shouted.

Licensing chiefs also hit Sophies bar, in Johnstones High Street, with a temporary suspension.

The pub, which is run by leading brewery firm Belhaven, had its licence suspended for seven weeks, again for incidents relating to alleged drunkenness and disorder.

A Renfrewshire Council spokesman told the Paisley Daily Express: Our Licensing Board received a request from Strathclyde Police to hold review hearings in relation to the premises licences held by Sophies bar and Madagascar.

The hearings were held on Thursday, January 14, and Thursday, January 21, respectively.

Sophies premises licence was suspended for seven weeks as the board considered it appropriate to prevent crime and disorder, prevent public nuisance and secure public safety.

Madagascars premises licence was suspended for two weeks on the same grounds.

Councillor Cathy McEwan, Licensing Board convener, said that irresponsible boozing causes huge problems in Renfrewshire.

She added: Alcohol has a terrible impact on Renfrewshire, with an estimated £80million bill for the health and social costs alone.

The board recognises that the majority of Renfrewshires 440 licensed premises promote responsible drinking and are well managed.

When the police ask us to hold a review, we consider each case on its merits and, where appropriate, we take firm action.

Police said action was needed at both pubs on three grounds preventing crime and disorder, preventing public nuisance and securing public safety.

A police report on Sophies, seen by the Express, claims there were a number of incidents at the pub last year. These included:

l women fighting there on September 12 and men fighting on October 3

l trouble involving customers at a nearby chippy on October 4 which was picked up by CCTV operators

l a disturbance on November 6, during which 11 cops arrested seven people

l and, on the same night, a 15-year-old girl who was part of a funeral party was reported to be drunk.

Police also told licensing bosses that, when officers visited the Madagascar pub on October 4 last year, five people were caught boozing outside and were reprimanded for drinking in a public place.

On the same date, officers claim the windscreen of their van was smashed while they were inside the pub talking to staff.

And the Licensing Board heard that, on October 30, a boozed-up woman passively resisted arrest at the pub by dropping to the floor when she was warned to stop drinking.

Councillor George Adam, who is a member of the Licensing Board, said that public safety must be the priority.

He added: It is important that members of the public feel safe when they go for a night out in town.

It is also important that the board takes this into account as part of the regeneration of Renfrewshire.