Nwicker60
08-May-11, 16:38
Police 'no' to Caithness pubs' extra hours
POLICE have lodged an objection to applications for a major variation in trading hours at two Caithness pubs, because of a record of anti-social behaviour at both establishments.
The owners of J.D. Wetherspoon are seeking an extension to 1am from Sunday to Thursday, and an earlier Sunday opening time of 11am. At the other end of the county, the Newmarket Bar, in Traill Street, Thurso, wants an extension to 1am from Monday to Thursday, but a cut in closing time, from 12.30am on Sundays, to midnight. The applications will be considered at Highland Council’s Licensing Board, at Inverness, on Tuesday.
Objecting to the Wetherspoon application, Caithness-based police inspector, Angus MacInnes, said that Northern Constabulary had received 28 complaints of anti-social behaviour, in the immediate vicinity of the pub, comprising seven incidents within the premises, a further six, immediately outside and the remaining 15 in the vicinity.
Turning to the Newmarket application, the inspector said that the force had received 17 complaints of anti-social behaviour in the immediate vicinity of the bar, comprising three incidents inside the premises, the same figure immediately outside, and the remaining 11 in the vicinity. A variation in the pub’s hours, would, Inspector MacInnes submitted, “impact on police services.”
Officials will tell members that both applications fall within board policy but have not made any recommendation and left a decision, in both cases, to members.
POLICE have lodged an objection to applications for a major variation in trading hours at two Caithness pubs, because of a record of anti-social behaviour at both establishments.
The owners of J.D. Wetherspoon are seeking an extension to 1am from Sunday to Thursday, and an earlier Sunday opening time of 11am. At the other end of the county, the Newmarket Bar, in Traill Street, Thurso, wants an extension to 1am from Monday to Thursday, but a cut in closing time, from 12.30am on Sundays, to midnight. The applications will be considered at Highland Council’s Licensing Board, at Inverness, on Tuesday.
Objecting to the Wetherspoon application, Caithness-based police inspector, Angus MacInnes, said that Northern Constabulary had received 28 complaints of anti-social behaviour, in the immediate vicinity of the pub, comprising seven incidents within the premises, a further six, immediately outside and the remaining 15 in the vicinity.
Turning to the Newmarket application, the inspector said that the force had received 17 complaints of anti-social behaviour in the immediate vicinity of the bar, comprising three incidents inside the premises, the same figure immediately outside, and the remaining 11 in the vicinity. A variation in the pub’s hours, would, Inspector MacInnes submitted, “impact on police services.”
Officials will tell members that both applications fall within board policy but have not made any recommendation and left a decision, in both cases, to members.