Newman Arms in Fitzrovia sees fewer thefts after employing doorman

The Publican’s Morning Advertiser reported in October how Tracy Bird had agreed to slow down service at her pub, and close the popular pie room on a Thursday and Friday evening, following advice from Westminster City Council.

The council was keen to cut the number of people drinking on the street outside the pub, and advised Bird to employ a doorman as part of these efforts.

Bird has now restored a regular service speed and reopened the pie room after Westminster clarified that she would not have her licence reviewed upon failure to take their advice.

However, she has welcomed the new doorman as a “godsend” and praised the relationship he has with her customers.

“It is great to have him on board,” said Bird. “He is a really nice chap who gets on well with customers outside. He also keeps very good order. The best benefit is we have not had one bag stolen since his arrival.  

“Sometimes, on a busy night, we could have three incidents of theft. Yesterday evening the staff called for me, so I could ask someone who had walked in from elsewhere, and was a bit tipsy, to leave. I said call in the doorman. He took the tipsy person out of the pub quietly with no trouble.”