Oldham licensees unite following more rioting

Licensees in Oldham have joined together to fight back after their pubs were attacked in the town's bank holiday riots.

The publicans say they are scared of further rioting and have suffered loss of trade after violence erupted over the long weekend.

They have arranged meetings with Oldham Council and the local police to discuss the situation and plan to lobby the council for a reduction in their pubs' rateable values.

One licensee, who did not want to be named in case of repercussions, said although the tension had reduced slightly, there was still a great deal of fear about the riots.

"I know of at least four pubs that have been firebombed - the pubs are being bombed with people in them," he said. "Young families have had to send their children away from their pubs to stay with relatives and other publicans can't have their grandchildren round.

"Licensees are taking it in turns to go to sleep so there's always someone sitting by an upstairs window, watching and ready with a fire extinguisher in case something happens.

"Just the other day my neighbouring pub was holding a quiz night when a brick was thrown through the window and injured a customer. It's very frightening."

The riots took place over bank holiday weekend with many pubs suffering smashed windows and some being firebombed. One publican was taken to hospital with a broken jaw after his pub was attacked.

As of today, the licensees were due to meet with the council and police after their first meeting was forced to close early because of more trouble.

"We just want to clarify the situation," the licensee said. "The council is quick enough to recognise when there's an irresponsible publican and now we need its help."

He said the meeting would try to lobby the council for a reduction in rates while trade was still bad.

"Our trade is down about 15 per cent and there's some a lot worse off than us," he added.