Pubs shut for 24-hours in protest at reform'

by Ewan Turney

Three Leicestershire licensees slammed their doors shut for 24 hours in protest at the increasing cost, frustration and pressures of the new licensing regime.

The combined closure on 1 February was the brainchild of Joe Knighton, Punch Taverns lessee at the Forest Rock in Coalville.

Knighton believes the rise in fees is unfair on rural pubs, such as his, where there is little trouble compared to high-street venues. He also believes that councillors are ill-qualified to run the new system.

In a bid to make his voice heard, he delivered more than 100 letters to nearby pubs informing them of his plans and urging them to join him. Two pubs ­ the Station Inn in Swanington and the Railway in Gilmore ­ did just that.

"The day went OK and we had plenty of phone calls of support," said Knighton. "We put up a closed today' sign and everyone knew why we were doing it because of the press coverage."

He added: "I know the law has already been passed, but I think we made a point and let people know we are not totally happy. We had to make a stand."

Jane Morley, Pyramid tenant at the Station Inn, hoped the closure would make the North West Leicestershire district council aware of the frustrations being experienced by licensees.

"It is not so much fears about the new system as much as sheer disappointment at the amount it is going to cost us," said Morley.

"It is going to cost around £400 for a survey of the pub, which no one really wants. Fortunately, Pyramid is paying for ours, but many other pub companies won't do that. The licensees will be stuck."

Morley has become incensed at the lack of answers from the council. She said: "The council sent a representative to the Pubwatch meeting but he couldn't give us any answers to questions such as how easy the process will be."

Knighton has just begun to fill in his new licensing application form and plans to "see how it goes" before staging any further protests.