Pub open for business despite booze ban (From Daily Echo)

Shamblehurst Barn will not appeal against licence suspension

6:20am Monday 12th October 2009 in News By Melanie Adams, Health Reporter

A HAMPSHIRE pub is still open for business despite being barred for selling booze.

Punters will only be able to quench their thirst with a soft drink at the Shamblehurst Barn in Hedge End after owners decided not to appeal a suspension of its alcohol licence.

Despite Eastleigh Borough Council's decision to revoke the licence for 21 days, the pub remains open, serving only soft drinks and food, with a new manager at the helm.

As the Daily Echo revealed last month the pub, owned by brewery chain Greene King, had its licence to sell alcohol revoked after becoming at hotspot for underage drinking and drunken brawls.

Police demanded that the council take action against the pub after staff continued to sell booze to underage teenagers over the last 18 months.

The licensing committee heard how neighbours were constantly forced to complain about the noise and that police were regularly called to the pub to stop alcohol-fuelled fights.

Officers also provided evidence that cocaine and heroin was being used inside the pub.

The pub will continue to serve soft drinks and food up until October 19, when it will close for a makeover.

It will then be back to business as usual, selling alcohol, on October 26.

New manager Michael Wells, who has instructed staff to ask for ID from anyone who looks under 25, said: "There's a bit of work to do here. My aim is to work with the local community to ensure their pub is somewhere for the whole family to enjoy."