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From
http://bignewsmargate.blogspot.co.uk.html, August 23, 2006
This week's Thanet Times reports that our local police wish to close
down "Bar 26," is this right. As far as I am concerned, the main role of
our police is to gather evidence, arrest criminals, and prevent crime,
none which is contentious.
However in this particular case, there appears to have been a history of
police objection to the existence of "Bar 26," landlord Andy Gerrard is
quoted as saying ''when I wanted to open the bar the police opposed
it...''he later goes on to say ''.... in here People behave themselves.
How can I be held responsible for things that happen after people leave
my bar?''
Further in Thanet Times report Peter West area commander put forward
this statement to Licensing chiefs.
1) Prevention of crime and disorder -''The high number of incidents
linked with drunkenness gives police grounds to believe management of
the premises does not fulfil this objective''
2) Prevention of public nuisance. ''This is a seafront venue and several
incidents recorded in this document occurred within sight of members of
the public using this leisure area.''
3) Protection of children from harm. ''There is evidence under 16s have
been drinking at the premises.''
Two differing views, assuming both are truthful accounts, I would hope
that the licensing authority takes a balanced view.
The police objection is quite notable, in that it doesn't appear to have
evidence of anti-social behaviour actually occurring within the
premises, and by that I mean violence taking place within the premises.
When I used to drink on Margate seafront some 30 years ago, fights
within the pubs and clubs were commonplace, so if it's correct, as would
appear from both sides of this argument that this is a pub where you can
drink without being distracted, where is the problem.
The problem apparently, from the police's objection is mainly as a
result of violence and disorder occurring away from these premises, what
I find difficult to believe is that participants in these incidents all
come from one public house, surprising really?, you would think that
this type of disturbance would generally result, from groups emerging
from several licensed premises along Margate seafront.
Obviously in 30 years, drunken yobs have modified their behaviour,
according to the police, one can only presume that drunken yobs now have
greater control, and rather than lash out in the heat of the moment, now
arrange in a gentlemanly fashion, to take a stroll some distance from
the pub, then kick the S*** out of each other, in the timeless way these
morons, always have done.
One other theory might be, that "Bar 26," not being part of a large pub
chain or brewery, lacks the muscle to defend itself, but its closure
would probably lessen the disturbances on Marine Terrace, until such
time as a another pub is open to replace this one.
Again it's 30 years, since I have experienced a good night out in
Margate, but in my day there was usually a heavy police presence along
Margate front, perhaps it would be better if Peter West, could deploy
officers as they used to be.
Although I have never been, "Bar 26" is clearly a popular drinking house,
or otherwise it would not have been able to obtain 800 signatures in
support.
For the full story you'll have to purchase a copy of the Thanet Times.
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