Pub could be closed after single ID failure

A freeholder claims he faces losing his business because he failed to stop just one underage drinker being served.

Dean Bull has run the Billy in Harwich, Essex, for eight years but now fears he could be forced to close the pub.

The pub's premises licence was revoked by Tendring District Council in December but Bull has been allowed to keep trading after lodging an appeal.

However if the appeal hearing next month is unsuccessful he faces losing his business permanently.

The case stems from a 17-year-old girl being found drunk near the pub in November but Bull claims it was a one-off incident and that he has never experienced any problems at the venue.

He said: "I have been here for eight years and there has never been so much as an arrest at the pub.

"We have a licence until 2am and it seems we are blamed for any problems that happen in town after that.

"This came about when a 17-year-old got served using her sister's ID. She was later found drunk and said she had been in my pub."

Bull claims the only other incidents involving the police have stemmed from noise at the front of the pub when he was told smokers could not use a space at the rear of the pub.

"Police gave evidence against us at the hearing but none of them have actually been in the pub," he said.

"We take our responsibilities very seriously. We ask anybody who looks over 21 for ID and I employ SIA registered doorstaff.

"I just find it hard to believe the situation we have found ourselves in," he added.

Nigel Brown, Tendring District Council's communications manager, confirmed that the council's premises and personal licences sub-committee had taken the decision to revoke the Billy's licence.

"The decision was made based on the evidence placed before the sub-committee, its own licensing policies and in line with government guidance," he said.

The appeal hearing is set to take place on September 28.