Cheapest" pub in Britain under fire

A pub is being forced to slash its opening hours after it was accused of attracting a culture of binge drinking and drug taking.

Police are demanding the Marksman in West Bromwich in the West Midlands shut at 1am instead of 2.30am.

Licensee Belal Hussain said the pub had been trying to compete with JD Wetherspoon.

"It is the small fish like us that are treated badly when we try to compete with a chain that is taking all our customers," he said.

The pub became become known as one of the cheapest pubs in Britain after selling beer at 45p a pint. It also offers free spirits for one hour on Fridays and Saturdays.

Belal said: "The spirits are available for one hour from nine to ten and you only get one free drink per person. And the 45p beer offer was just available for a limited period before Christmas."

He also hit back at claims the pub was faciliating drug use.

"If we highlight any problem we are having, police point the finger and make life difficult instead of actually trying to help us combat any problems."

Inspector Pat Smythe, West Midlands Police licensing chief for Sandwell said: "Every weekend, we have drug testers who are finding traces of Class A drugs in the toilets. We are also arresting people in possession of Class A and Class C drugs on the premises."

He added the pub's late opening hours had led to a large number of people trying to get into nearby night club Explosion before the last entry time of 3am, creating disruption.

"If we have a distinct time differential between Explosion and Marksmen of two hours, the people of Sandwell will not be exposed to as many people coming out of this premises causing anti-social behaviour by excessive drinking."