AN ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE pub’s licence is under review over allegations the person responsible for running it is ‘absent’ and allowing breaches of its terms.
The Feathers, on Stamford Street Central, is under investigation after complaints of people drinking outside when they are not supposed to.
And Tameside Council paperwork also details how designated premises supervisor (DPS) Natalie Horrocks is said to be not engaging with its licensing department.
The Feathers found itself under suspicion when Greater Manchester Police (GMP) received a complaint on July 27 that customers had been ‘sat outside the premises on tables and chairs, drinking alcohol and acting in an anti-social manner late into the evening until around midnight.’
Checks found the venue’s pavement café licence only allows such activity until 8pm.
An employee who lives above the pub is said to have explained to officers it was a one-off incident and a special celebration and this would not happen again.
But further complaints were filed on August 26, leading to a check of the area’s CCTV control room.
According to documents, that found evidence of breaches on three successive nights from August 22-24.
Since then, meetings with Natalie Horrocks have been requested on more than one occasion – but he has failed to attend so far.
According to the review: “The licensing department has exhausted all options to resolve the matter informally and therefore is applying to review the premises licence.
“The operation of this premises has seriously undermined two of the four licensing objectives namely the prevention of crime and disorder and prevention of public nuisance.
“Natalie Horrocks is currently an absent DPS and as such by failing to attend the Licensing Offices to discuss any issues outlined in this report has shown her behaviour falls short of what is expected of a premises and personal licence holder.”
Tameside Council’s Speaker’s Panel (Liquor Licensing) committee is likely to make the final decision on The Feathers’ licence after hearing all sides of the story.
Consultation ends on December 3.