Pubs warned to be on guard for licensing checks

Police licensing officers have more time on their hands to scrutinise licensing conditions and paperwork than ever before, a solicitor has warned.

Jonathan Smith of Poppleston Allen urged licensees to make sure everything was in order after two Colchester pubs were closed for listing the wrong Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS).

The Foundry Arms in Artillery Street and the Leather Bottle in Shrub End Road were shut for a few hours by police last week. The Foundry had the wrong DPS listed for 16 days and the Leather Bottle for 23 days.

The pubs, run by London Town, had the previous licensee listed as the DPS but both re-opened within hours.

"The police have not done anything illegal here but I think its shows how much time they have on their hands now as there are not many new licence applications to scrutinise," said Smith.

"I bet there are more than a few pubs around the country where the DPS has left.

"I would say to licensees — be careful as they are out there with more time on their hands to check all the details."