Shepherd Neame plays tactical game at Hastings

Shepherd Neame has agreed to new licence conditions at three Hastings pubs to stave off licence suspensions, the removal of a licensee and hardline trading restrictions.

The tenanted pubs are among six being reviewed en masse in the town — a move that's led to much criticism in the trade.

Police called for tough conditions at the six pubs on George Street — including having a designated premises supervisor (DPS) or personal licence holder on site at all times and an 8pm curfew on highway permits.

They urged licence suspensions at two Sheps pubs, the Hastings Arms and the Anchor, and the removal of the DPS from the latter pub.

At licence review Sheps, the premises licence holder, and the authorities agreed to lesser conditions at the two pubs, plus Ye Olde Pump House, also on George Street. Personal licence holders must be on site from 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2pm on bank holidays, street drinking is banned after 10pm, CCTV must be fitted and plastic glasses used at peak times.

Tenants of the Anchor and the Hastings Arms must also obtain a National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders. They hadn't done so because of grandfather rights.

A Shepherd Neame spokesman said: "We put forward proposals we believe will resolve the issues in George Street. Those proposals have, in the main, been accepted."

Joe O'Riordan, secretary of the local licensed victuallers 1066 LVA, said: "I personally think it's disappointing that the licensed trade doesn't stand up to this sort of bullying more often."

Inspector Damen Funnell said: "This review was a last resort for the police and its partner agencies to address the issues and problems raised. We had tried to resolve the issues with the licensees before, over a period of time, without ultimate success."

Licence reviews for the three other George Street pubs, set to take place this week, are now due in August.