Backing for pub's late night licence

Earlier this month Westbury Town Council joined forces with local residents and pledged to end late night drinking in the town centre.

Angry residents complained of an increase in street violence and noise since The Ludlow Arms was given a licence to trade until 2am.

Now Paul Mead, landlord of the Railway Inn, Station Road, is bidding for an entertainment licence that would put back closing time to 1am.

He said: "I have backing from local people but if my customers cause any trouble in the early hours I would simply hand back my licence.

"I would even arrange a free minibus to take customers home if they were disturbing local residents."

The Railway Inn was refused a 1am licence in April but has appealed against the decision.

Over 200 customers signed a petition backing the late licence and two homeowners on Station Road have written to the council pledging support.

Mr Mead said: "If we are refused again I am prepared to go to court to get what my customers deserve.

"We have 24-hour shopping and petrol so why not more flexible drinking hours? The demand is there."

Westbury Town Council set up a working committee to review the stand-off between landlords and residents and recommended an 11pm curfew until a final decision was made.

Cllr Horace Prickett recently spent a Friday night on the beat with Westbury Police to get first hand experience of late night trouble.

He said: "The last thing we need is another pub with a late licence.

"At the moment the police do a great job but what will happen if they get stretched around town because of other pubs with late licences?"

The Ludlow Arms, the town centre pub which is the focus of residents' outrage, is expected to apply for renewal of its 2am licence in August.

West Wiltshire District Council's planning and licensing committee was due to meet last night to consider the Railway Inn's appeal.