A pub at the centre of complaints about ‘rioting’ under-age drinkers, rowdy customers and a disregard for Covid rules has kept its alcohol licence.
A Stockport council sub-committee has instead imposed extra conditions on The Last Post, in Marple, after hearing evidence at a full licence review.
Customers will not be able to drink in the outdoor terrace area unless also ordering food.
The venue, on Stockport Road, has also been told it must operate a ‘Challenge 25’ policy.
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The three-strong licensing sub-committee announced its decision following deliberations after a near two-hour hearing.
Councillor Chris Gordon, who chaired the town hall meeting, said the pub had ‘previously demonstrated an inability to satisfactorily address the licensing objectives’ - which include the prevention of public nuisance and the prevention of crime and disorder.
He added: “The sub-committee was of the view that there had been significant repeated failures by the premises to comply with the conditions of its premises licence - which demonstrated sustained disregard for the licensing objectives.
“However it also noted that the premises has subsequently operated successfully and compliantly, since the the application and review of the licence had been made - which demonstrated it was possible for the premises to operate in accordance with the licensing objectives.”
He then confirmed the sub-committee was imposing extra conditions on the licence, rather than using its powers to revoke it or remove landlord Matthew Watson.
The meeting had previously heard from council licensing officer Jenette Hicks, who told the meeting how complaints had arisen about The Last Post almost as soon as it opened.
At first these were ‘wide-ranging’, and included anti-social behaviour, alleged drug use and 'general loutish behaviour'.
But these became more focused on the conduct of rowdy patrons shouting and swearing, as well as 'offensive chanting' while football was on.
The hearing was shown bodycam footage of a visit to the venue by police and licensing officers on the evening of Friday, June 4.
While it was acknowledged this was not as ‘chaotic’ as the previous week, it was clearly very loud and Mr Watson was shown as being uncooperative.
But Ms Hicks said there had been a ‘considerable improvement’ in the management of the venue since the council began its licensing review.
Mr Watson had been ‘naive’, she told the meeting - but by moving to a more food-led venue she felt it could run in a way that did not create public nuisance.
However, she did raise concerns over the pub ‘slipping back’ into the issues that had caused so many problems over the spring and summer.
The meeting also heard from a number of residents whose lives had been affected since The Last Post opened.
One described the last few months as being ‘absolutely horrendous’.
She said: “We have a baby son who has been struggling to get to sleep because of the noise. We don’t want him playing in the garden because there’s been swearing.”
The resident who has lived nearby for nine years said for her to feel the need to speak at the meeting showed how serious the situation had become.
She added: “Yes, there have been improvements, as Jenette said - but if you are under a licence review you would have to be stupid not to improve during that time.”
Mr Watson began his contribution to the meeting by apologising to both the committee and local residents.
But he stressed things had changed and would continue to improve in future.
He said: “I’m not here to argue, lie or deny things.
“Things were bad, I will agree with that, the video clearly shows it was bad.”
He told the hearing it had been a ‘difficult time’ trying to run the bar while Covid restrictions were in force.
“I’m not sure what date everyone else opened, but at one stage I was the only place open in Marple,” he said.
“As Jenette said, I was naive, I accepted people. But things have changed and not just since the notice was handed out.”
Mr Watson said he had taken the temporary outdoor tent down, was no longer advertising live football and was trying to make the venue more family friendly.
He added: “I don’t want to fall out with people. I know people see me on the video and it makes me look bad, but I am approachable - come and talk to me.”
Stockport council’s licensing, environment and safety sub-committee A met at the town hall on Thursday night (September 2).
