NALHM chief calls for

pub safety crackdown

by John Harrington

A pub managers' union is calling for operators to outline what they will do to promote social responsibility when the new Licensing Act goes live.

Dave Daley, president of the National Association of Licensed House Managers (NALHM), wants firms to say how they will make pubs safer when they draw up business plans for venues.

He said it is particularly important for community pubs not used to operating after 11pm.

'If we are doing a business plan for extra hours we want 50% of it to be about social responsibility,' said Daley.

Daley, licensee of Laurel's Cahoots bar in Blackpool, urged pub companies to discuss the issue with managers and draw up measures to protect venues, such as doorstaff and CCTV.

The idea received broad support at a NALHM national executive meeting last week where managers, especially from pubs away from the high street, expressed concern about safety when they open later after 24 November.

'What we are certain about is that the large companies are keeping quiet about it,' Daley said.

He added: 'There's no consultation with managers who are treading in dangerous water.'

Daley said if steps were not taken to ensure pubs were safe under the new regime, managers could be forced to testify against their pub company if there was a hearing against the premises licence - in order to save their own personal licence.

'We won't have managers being sacrificial lambs for the sake of a building licence,' he stressed.