The Seale Arms

Facing issues as a community Dartmouth's old town nestles at the foot of soaring hills on Devon's south coast.

The cliff walks attract plenty of tourists, but locals find it a long slog up those slopes ­ especially after a few pints.

That's serious for Seale Arms licensee Alan Hook.

He relies on year-round trade from regulars ­ 90% of whom live at the "top of the town" in Townstal.

With an unreliable bus service and just six licensed cabs, closing time is a headache as customers wait for transport up the hill.

"We ask people to leave quietly.

But the biggest problem is moving them on.

The bus that is supposed to leave our street at 11.20pm normally leaves nearer to 11.00pm, so many people can't do anything except wait for taxis."

Inevitably, there have been complaints from old town residents.

So Hook and fellow publicans are lobbying hard, through their Licensed Victuallers Association and local police, for the council to demand a better service from its bus contractor.

This co-operative approach between the police and LVA members, who also form a well-supported Pubwatch, typifies the Dartmouth trade's approach to responsible retailing.

A Punch lessee, Hook takes a firm line on under-age drinking, excessive consumption and potential drug abuse.

Hook, his wife Pauline, and their staff aim to nip problems in the bud with a friendly, non-aggressive approach.

Alan has also applied for permission to install CCTV inside and outside the pub, which will give complete coverage of all previous blind spots.

"Just having cameras there is usually enough," he says.

Most of Dartmouth's alcohol-related problems stem from street-drinking, not pub customers.

Unfortunately, publicans still tend to get blamed.

"But it's a community problem," Hook says.

"If you all pull together, you can resolve it.