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'Rowdy' pub closed down

Emilene Coventry
24/10/2007

A POPULAR Ashton pub has been shut down after a senior policeman said he feared for his safety there.

Divisional Inspector Ian Hanson was speaking at a review of the licence for Molly Malones on George Street on Tuesday.

Tameside magistrates agreed an interim closure in the interests of public safety after Insp Hanson shut it down in the early hours of 6 October.

He told Tameside Council’s licensing panel that he had warned door staff about maintaining control after a fight between two women outside the club at just after 1am.

But he said when he returned to the club at 3.20am with another officer, it was “completely out of control and unmanaged”.

“We felt very intimidated. I have 20 years’ experience in the police and am not easily fazed but I did feel fazed at that point. The place was like a tinderbox ready to go off,” he said.

Under-age drinkers were being allowed in, there were no door staff inside the club and bar staff were continuing to serve drunk revellers, he added.

Police figures showed Molly Malones had double the number of crimes of other bars in Ashton, the panel heard.

The  bar had got through three managers since July.

But Martin Walsh, representing owner Denis Waterhouse, claimed police had used “draconian” powers to close the pub unnecessarily. He said the pub’s management had been co-operating with police.

Mr Waterhouse said: “We have problems like everywhere else but no more incidents than anywhere else at the end of the day.”

Insp Hanson said after the hearing: “We welcome the support of the licensing authority. Local police are committed to ensuring Tameside remains a safe and enjoyable place to have a night out.”