Licensee fears drop in trade after breathalyser licensing condition

Llanina Arms landlord Delme Lloyd will now have to breathalyse customers under the age of 18 before they enter the building after a deal was brokered between local police and licensing officers.

Lloyd was recently fined £2,500 for allowing underage customers to drink alcohol at the pub on New Year’s Eve but magistrates decided not to revoke his licence.

However, at a licensing panel meeting on 22 November councillors heard from an Inspector and Licensing Officer from Dyfed Powys Police before concluding that the hotel’s entertainment provision was “inadequate” and “not fit for use.”

Ceredigion County Council approved conditions imposed by Dyfed Powys Police on the landlord include the testing of under 18s entering the premises with the breath-testing equipment. Anyone found to have consumed alcohol will not be allowed in.

Under 18s must also now be accompanied by an adult and, unless the youngsters are eating in the restaurant, attending a private function or staying at the pub, they will not be granted access. Lloyd has also been told to install a CCTV specification inside and outside the premises.

Chief Inspector Robyn Mason said: “Thanks to the determination of our officers we have now removed the premises’ ability to hold youth discos, which were largely the root of the problem. The evidence from Aberaeron and Cardigan officers made this protracted case have a successful outcome possible.

“In addition to sending out a clear message to licensed premises who attempt to fall out of line, this challenging episode is an excellent example of efficient and effective neighbourhood policing.”

Lloyd told the PMA: “I am not particularly happy but it I am relieved because the pub could have been delicensed.

“It has affected trade big time because the parties I was putting on in our large function room were bringing in more money on the door than I take on the bar. But unfortunately underage people were turning up having already been drinking at home.

“Personally I think this opens the door for people to put it (breathalyser) on other pubs’ licences.”

Graham Cushion of licensing law firm Poppleston Allen said: “This is a rather unusual condition - and perhaps the first time such has been imposed - and it is perhaps surprising that under 18s are allowed in the premises at all.”