Last updated at 14:13, Friday, 16 April 2010

A PUB landlady has lost her licence following police allegations that she had served underage drinkers.

Railway Inn on Ireleth Road, Askam. LINDSEY DICKINGS REF: 50001821B001

But councillors heard that the Railway Inn in Ireleth Road, Askam had already closed down.

Fiona Donnan told the borough licensing sub-committee that she took the decision last month because the pub was not viable.

Councillors ruled that Mrs Donnan be removed as designated premises supervisor for the Railway and CCTV cameras installed in the event of it re-opening.

Inspector Malcolm Woodhouse said that last summer police acted on reports of underage drinking – some as young as 15 – at the pub on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

He said PC John Brooks and Peter Davies, the borough council licensing officer, met Mrs Donnan in July to emphasise her responsibilities.

Insp Woodhouse pointed out that on November 28 police were called to a disturbance inside the Railway involving a number of people.

Although ultimately the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to take people to court, during the police enquiry it became apparent that underage buying and drinking alcohol had been taking place in the premises before the disturbance.

He said: “Witnesses also made reference to the licensee, Mrs Donnan, being responsible for serving those underage and also appearing to be under the influence of alcohol.”

Mrs Donnan told councillors she lived on the pub premises, which she owned, but could not afford to install CCTV.

She added: “I put on disco functions to try and do something for youngsters in the village, and was overrun that night in July. I closed the pub in March because it was not making money.”

Committee chairman, Councillor Dave Roberts, told Mrs Donnan that, although she had been removed as DPS, it did not prevent her working elsewhere.

He added: “But if you open this pub again you will have to get someone else to run it. I wish you all the best in the future.”

Cllr Roberts also requested that the police provide more detailed reports, containing more background about the pub in question, in the future.

First published at 13:13, Friday, 16 April 2010
Published by http://www.askamlocal.co.uk