Push to boost membership of town Pubwatch scheme
THE manager of Burton town centre is appealing to landlords to sign up to Pubwatch as part of the Mail’s Safer Burton campaign.
Paul Howard said Pubwatch, a national initiative, was adopted in Burton and coordinated by Town Centre Management many years ago.
The scheme works by banning any individual who has been charged with an offence in one of the member premises from all premises in the scheme — meaning if a person is barred from one of Pubwatch venues, they are barred from them all.
Additionally, Pubwatch is also able to nominate individuals for exclusion who have not been charged with an offence, but who have caused issues within venues.
Most businesses have the right to not supply, serve or grant access to anyone they choose provided it is not on the grounds of discrimination.
Effectively, a person has no ‘right’ to enter and consume drink in a pub or club unless the licence holder agrees.
The Pubwatch scheme provides the collective agreement that trouble-makers are removed and not allowed entry for another 12 months.
Mr Howard, one of Safer Burton’s leading figures, said: “At the moment there are 36 members of the Burton Pubwatch scheme, mostly located in the town centre but with some on the outskirts.
“The majority of members are pubs and clubs but we do have membership from off-licences, restaurants and takeaways as well.
“Even though Pubwatch is recognised as a demonstration of good management and a commitment to the licensing objectives, there are a number of venues within the town centre which have so far not taken up Pubwatch membership.
“Ideally, we would like to ensure that all Burton businesses involved in the night time economy — including taxi operators and pubs outside the town centre — are playing their part in improving the public perception of our town after dark.
“Members can expect to receive regular intelligence updates through meetings and personal visits, together with a handheld radio for immediate access to other members and the CCTV control room.”
The same scheme was rolled out in Uttoxeter and shortly after its launch boasted a reduction in alcohol-related crime by 26 per cent.
