🍺 Pub faces licence review amid police concerns over 'prevention of crime'
This week we report how a Sandgate pub is facing a licence review after staff allegedly warned customers ahead of police drugs checks. We also have the news in brief and what's on this week...
The Providence Inn faces licence review after staff allegedly told customers to 'get rid of their drugs'
A Sandgate pub is set to have its licence reviewed after staff allegedly warned customers to “get rid of their drugs” ahead of a visit by police with a drugs dog.
Kent Police has formally applied to Folkestone & Hythe District Council (FHDC) for a review of The Providence Inn’s premises licence over what it describes as “concerns the premises was failing to assist police in the prevention of crime”.
The review is being sought on the grounds of “prevention of crime and disorder” and “public safety”.
Officers were carrying out checks at a number of licensed premises in the Folkestone area when they visited the pub at around 8.30pm on Friday, March 7.
Ahead of the arrival of uniformed officers and the drugs dog, two plain-clothed officers entered the Sandgate High Street venue. According to a statement in the force’s application for a licence review, one of these officers reported hearing a staff member tell drinkers: “If anyone has any sniff or weed or anything they need to get rid of it.”
When uniformed officers arrived they explained to the staff member the purpose of the visit, and they replied: “That’s fine.” A customer is then said to have called out: “You won’t find anything here.”
An officer then confronted the member of staff and informed them that plain-clothed colleagues had heard them “warning customers to get rid of their drugs”. It is alleged that the staff member informed police that the landlord had told them to warn customers after learning of police activity at another nearby venue.
Commenting on the application for a review of its licence, a spokesman for the Providence told the Dispatch: “We have been working closely with the police and licensing department on this matter. Everyone that actually visits our pub will know we run a welcoming, friendly business that does not hesitate to stamp out any kind of antisocial behaviour.”
Police officers and council licensing officers met with licensee Chris Frost on March 13 to discuss what had happened the previous Friday night. According to the police application for a review of the licence, Mr Frost explained he had only told the member of staff that police were out conducting checks, and that he did not know they would be attending the Providence.
The police statement requesting the review continues: “He did, however, accept that he should not have done so, and that he held an anti-drug stance at this venue and previous premises he had been involved in.”
At that meeting a number of steps were agreed, including the introduction of an anti-drugs policy for the venue, further staff training, the adoption of CCTV and the handing over of the role of ‘designated premises supervisor’ from Mr Frost to his wife.
These steps, if implemented by March 31, would have avoided the submission by police of an application for a review of the premises licence.
However, by April 3 the district council had received no paperwork to make the change to the designated premises supervisor role. This meant police proceeded with the application for a licence review, recommending the removal of Mr Frost from his position and the imposition of the proposed conditions to tackle any potential drug use or possession at the pub in the future.
A spokesman for Kent Police told the Dispatch: “Police in Folkestone have applied for a review of the licence of The Providence Inn in Sandgate High Street following concerns the premises was failing to assist police in the prevention of crime.
“The work is part of wider action undertaken by community policing officers to ensure the district remains a safe place to work, visit and socialise.”
FHDC gave public notice of the review of the premises licence on April 10, and members of the public had until today, May 7, to view details of the application and make written representations to the licensing authority. A request for a date for the hearing of the review is expected to be made in the coming days.
It is understood that, in the course of the police visit to the pub on March 7, a man was searched and suspected cocaine was seized. An investigation is ongoing.
Reform takes control of Kent Council Council
It’s all change at County Hall after Reform swept to a historic victory in last week’s Kent County Council elections. Of the six seats up for grabs in the Folkestone & Hythe District Council area, five were won by Nigel Farage’s party, with one returning a Liberal Democrat. Overall Reform won 57 of the 81 seats on the council.
Writing in the Kent Current following the dramatic results, Ed Jennings gave his take on what comes next:
“Now that Reform have won Kent and several other councils across the country, the question now becomes just what they can do with power. Most of their campaign literature in the county focused on national issues, so exactly what they intend to do in Kent is unclear. Running any level of local government is now incredibly challenging, with finances being incredibly tight and the vast majority of money being spent of statutory services like adult social care and children’s services.”
Writing for KentOnline, local democracy reporter Simon Finlay pondered what will happen when Reform’s desire to cut what it believes is wasteful council spending collides with the harsh realities of local government finances:
“Its cabinet will be responsible for a £1.5bn budget, which sounds like a vast sum but, in fact, does not cover the cost of the services it must provide by law. If the new leader thinks there is a legion of hidden woke appointments costing the beleaguered tax-payer tens of millions, then he or she may possibly be greatly disappointed.”
News in brief
⚖️ A teenager has appeared in court charged with a serious assault after a man was allegedly stabbed in Foord Road last Wednesday, April 30. Police say a man in his 30s was taken to a London hospital with “an injury consistent with a stab wound”. A 17-year-old suspect was arrested the next day and was later charged with unlawful wounding, possession of a knife and possession of crack cocaine. He appeared before Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Friday, May 2, and was remanded in youth detention ahead of an expected appearance at Canterbury Crown Court on June 2. A 19-year-old man from Folkestone was also arrested following enquiries at the scene but was released on bail.
💃 Pupils at Folkestone Academy have been learning about Roma history as part of a special heritage day. Students learnt about Roma culture and experienced traditional music and dance. School principal Steve Shaw said: “We are very proud of our curriculum at Folkestone Academy that gives our pupils the knowledge, skills and understanding to help them be successful and active citizens. We always recognise and celebrate diversity and we hope our celebration of the Roma culture has helped to enrich our young people’s education.”
🎸 A town centre live music venue could be set to reopen. A licence application has been made for the former Harp Club in Grace Hill, with the applicant seeking to open as late as 2am on Friday and Saturday nights. While the resurrection of the venue would be a positive for the town’s live music scene, residents living in Grace Court opposite have told KentOnline of their concerns over the plans.
🏠 Plans have been submitted for the building of 10 new homes on the current site of engineering firm NIC Instruments Ltd on Gladstone Road. The business is seeking to relocate as it has outgrown its existing location, and the redevelopment of its current premises for housing will fund that expansion elsewhere. The application is out for consultation until May 20.
🚌 A public meeting is being held this Friday, May 9, to discuss the future of bus routes in the district. Organised by the Shepway Bus Users Group (SBUG), the event at the Folkestone Yacht & Motor Boat Club will see presentations from bus operator Stagecoach, former councillor Jenni Hawkins and MP Tony Vaughan. Sue Wood, from the SBUG, said: “This is not a protest meeting but hopefully one of gaining more of an insight to the future plans of all those concerned with this and what improvements can be made in both routes and funding.” The meeting will start at 11am.
🛑 Folkestone Harbour and businesses at the Harbour Arm will be closed to visitors on Tuesday, May 13, to allow for essential power network upgrades. It will reopen the following day.
What’s on this week
🎇 Tomorrow is VE Day, and there will be a number of events taking place this week to mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe. Tomorrow evening, May 8, will see celebrations organised by Folkestone Town Council on The Leas, with performances from local choirs at the bandstand from 8pm and the lighting of a beacon at 9.30pm. Earlier in the day, from 2pm, All Souls Church will be hosting a garden party. On Saturday, May 10, All Souls will also be staging a performance by the Friends of the Royal British Legion Community Choir, also at 2pm.
🎙️ There’s guaranteed to be a party atmosphere at the Leas Cliff Hall on Friday, May 9, as MANIA: The ABBA Tribute brings the sounds of the Swedish pop icons to Folkestone. Tickets for the 7.30pm show start at £15 and can be purchased here.
🎶 The Folkestone Music Town Music in May festival continues with performances and workshops taking place at venues across the town. Check out the gig guide here to make sure you don’t miss a thing.
🛹 Top riders from Skateboard GB will be showing off their skills at an event to officially open the new skatepark at Folkestone Academy on Saturday, May 10. All ages and skating abilities are invited to attend the celebrations between 11am and 4pm, which will feature a DJ and sound system as well as food trucks. Seamus Murphy, CEO of Turner Schools, said: “We are confident the development of this innovative school skatepark will prove hugely beneficial for our students and wider community, especially with skateboarding now being an Olympic sport.”
🐴 The Folkestone & District Local History Society is hosting a talk by James Frost on The Hooden Horse and the Folkestone Folk Revival this evening, May 7, at Holy Trinity Church Hall in Sandgate Road. The talk will begin at 8pm, and entry is £3, free for society members.
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All the best, Rhys
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