Band contest relief for pubs

Relieved . . . Michael Mooney, landlord of The Swan Inn (left) with Councillor John McCann

Only six face new controls

SIX Uppermill pubs have been handed strict drinking restrictions in a bid to prevent troublemakers spoiling Whit Friday Band Contest celebrations.

The move was sanctioned by Oldham police chief Tim Forber, in a bid to make the popular event safe for all.

The six pubs will have to employ two accredited door staff to control numbers of customers entering and leaving from 4pm on Friday.

Debbie Hardie, landlady of the Granby Arms, is one of the six Uppermill pubs which must supply accredited security staff on Whit Friday.

She said: "In the four years I have been here, we have never had any trouble on Whit Friday. The security arrangements will will cost me hundreds of pounds. I am not at all happy."

A police letter demanding tough action caused a stir when it went to 19 pubs around Saddleworth, instead of only the six in Uppermill. Worried landlords called in MP Phil Woolas and Councillor John McCann to find out what was going on.

A licensing action plan was attached to the letter signed by Chief Supt Forber, Oldham’s Divisional Commander, in which the 19 publicans were told to use the door staff.

Other points covered fire risk assessment, the agreed voluntary closure of premises and use of plastic glasses inside and outside pubs.

One rule which will stay for every pub in each village hosting a band contest is that they should call last orders by 11pm and close by 11.30pm.

Several off-licences across Saddleworth have also been told to supply door staff from 4pm and to close at 10pm. Councillor John McCann and Phil Woolas, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, held a 90-minute discussion with some concerned landlords over the weekend.

And today, with much relief from many hostelries across the villages, Oldham Council and GMP said the new licensing strategy would only apply to the six Uppermill pubs.

Councillor McCann, Cabinet member for community services and housing, said he was pleased “initial confusion” had been resolved. He said the band contest was always a major challenge for the council and police in terms of traffic management and public order, and a small minority of people used it as an excuse for excess drinking and anti-social behaviour. Councillor McCann added: “Places which have never had problems are not included in the safety measures. The new plans apply to just six pubs in Uppermill as we concentrate restrictions in the area which has had the most frequent history of problems.”

He applauded the constructive attitude of licensees who attended the meeting, MP Phil Woolas, the swift action of Oldham Council and Chief Supt Forber, who he said had shown flexibility and a willingness to listen.

Mr Woolas said: “I am delighted this misunderstanding has been resolved.”

Karen Broadbent and Melanie Lord, who have run the Farrars Arms in Grasscroft for 19 months, were one of the premises who received the letter.

Karen said: “We were very shocked. Our pub is away from the contests and regulars use it as an oasis for a quiet drink and a meal on Whit Friday.

“Initially, we were very worried and felt threatened. It just did not seem to make sense. But, thanks to intervention by Councillor McCann and Mr Woolas, we are relieved it has been sorted out.”

Michael Mooney, landlord of The Swan Inn, in the Square at Dobcross, said: “We are delighted the situation is resolved. We have never had problems here.”

The Royal Oak, at Heights above Delph, one of Saddleworth’s most isolated pubs, received a copy of the licensing action plan.

Landlord Michael Fancy: “Whit Friday is our quietest day of the year. We just couldn’t understand why we got this letter saying we needed security staff.”

The six Uppermill pubs which must use door security staff and plastic glasses are The Granby Arms, The Wagon and Horses, The Hare and Hounds, The Commercial, and Uppermill Conservative Club, all in High Street, and the Church Inn and Running Hill Gate.