Punch director urges local authorities to stop 'criminalising honest licensees'
Slee, Punch’s external affairs and central operations director, said the North Midlands licensee has been told to pay £15,000 for CCTV and introduce a ‘Challenge 25’ scheme, despite the fact there had been no record of issues during the 12 years they have been at the pub. Punch is now in talks with the council.
“The response feels disproportionate to one failed test purchase,” Slee said. “Licensees want to do a good job but can make an
honest mistake.
"Please don’t criminalise honest licensees.”
He added: “The pub is the home of responsible drinking. Sometimes it feels like the easy target is ‘Bob and Mabel’ running the Dog & Duck when things happen at Tesco Extra and maybe the same actions aren’t taken.”
