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Saturday, August 25, 2007 | 14:53
A LANDLORD who has been warned he will lose his licence if he fails to control the number of people in his pub has decided to put the business up for sale.
An inspection of Collin Dagnall's pub The Cross in Woodbridge found there was more people inside than allowed, which experts said could have put customers at risk if there was a fire.
Fire officers said there were around 100 people in the venue at the corner of The Thoroughfare and Church Street when there should have been no more than 60 including staff.
Now he has been told from October 19 he must have two officially trained door supervisors to control the numbers entering the pub on Friday and Saturday nights, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, and when there is a pre-planned event.
No new customers will be allowed in after 11pm on Friday and Saturday nights, and a series of monthly checks will be carried out and recorded to monitor health and safety issues.
Following the ruling Mr Dagnall said he was “disappointed” by the decision and has now decided to put his pub up for sale because he cannot afford to run it.
“From a business point of view restricting the number of customers to 60 just isn't sustainable,” he said.
“What with the smoking ban also reducing numbers and the rise in rates I can't justify carrying on.
“As a result I'm putting the pub on the market.
“It's a shame because I've been there eight years but with all the legislation and red-tape I think it's about time to go.”
The licence was reviewed by Suffolk Coastal District Council's licensing panel following the inspection visit to the pub in May.
The Cross was the first pub to be inspected by the new Suffolk Coastal Licensing Partnership, formed to make sure all pubs, clubs and other licensed premises in the district are providing a safe and legal service to their customers.
It includes representatives of the licensing team, fire service, trading standards, police, environmental protection, and food safety, and is the first of its type in the county.
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