Licensee counts cost of council's door decision

by Lucy Britner

A Penzance licensee has been told he must employ a doorman for at least 12 hours a day during British summer time.

Furious Josh Dunkley is licensee of the Crown - a small freehold on a back street in the remote Cornish town.

He applied for an hour's extension from Sundays to Thursdays and until 12.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

He received nine objections from residents and two conditions were placed on his licence by Penwith District Council.

'They told me I had to have everyone in from the outside seating area by 10pm, which is fair enough, but also that for six months during British summer time, I have to have a doorman,' Dunkley said.

He added that the pub only has inside seating for 38 people and 30 outside and a doorman would send the wrong message to customers.

Dunkley said: 'We're a small, community pub and only want the extra hours for a more relaxed drink-up time. People will think we're a nightclub.'

He estimates that an SIA-qualified doorman would cost the pub around £1,500 a week.

Dunkley and wife Michelle took over the Crown 15 months ago and have never had to call police. 'This will cost me thousands to appeal against,' he said.

Morning Advertiser legal expert Peter Coulson said: 'This is an unreasonable condition. Conditions have to be proportionate to the risk involved.

'This is excessive and supervision can be adequately made by the licensee for this number of people.'