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From the
https://853london.com 19 April, 2017 by Darryl Chamberlain.
Shut down: The Greenwich pub being run by its regulars.
An east Greenwich pub has had its licence withdrawn by councillors after
council officers found its management had left the premises to be run by
its customers.
The "Duchess" on Woolwich Road – formerly the "Ship & Billet" and
"Frog &
Radiator" – has been closed since January after a series of violent
incidents.
In September, most of the pub’s windows were smashed by a customer, and
when council officers visited to investigate, they were told its
designated supervisor had left and discovered the pub was apparently
being run by a drunken customer. “It appeared almost that the locals
were running the pub,” the officers said in a report.
The following month, they were told by the pub’s licence holder that he
planned to close and redevelop the pub, but in January council offers
found the pub still being run by customers and serving well after its
2am licence.
The report continues: “[Name redacted] claimed to be running the
premises in the absence of her mother. Her speech was slurred and she
smelt of drink. She beckoned the licensing officer behind the bar area
where he came face to face with a large, shaven-headed male. Believing
that he was in charge of the premises, he introduced himself as a
licensing officer. His reply was: ‘Does that make you fucking
important?’
“Realising that he was a customer, the licensing officer changed his
attitude. His response: ‘I couldn’t give two fucks who you are!’ With
that, he picked up a pint glass full of beer… and stormed off into the
public area.
“The licensing officer returned to speak to [name redacted] who
obviously had no knowledge of running licensed premises. She was unaware
who the licence holders were as she had never met them. She had no idea
what a Designated Premises Supervisor was, nor the opening and closing
time of the premises. Asked when she planned to close for the evening,
she replied: ‘When I feel like it!'”
The Duchess was one of the last of the old-style pubs along the main
road through east Greenwich, after the demolition of the Victoria and
the Old Friends, the conversion of the William IV and revamp of The
Crown. It is unlikely to be missed – but will anyone take on the
prominent corner site and try to revive the old pub?
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