Bishop's Castle Pubwatch plans fall flat

Attempts to set up a Pubwatch scheme in Bishop's Castle have fallen flat - because only staff from two premises turned up for the launch meeting.

Darren Price, landlord of the Boar's Head, had hoped to set up a scheme with all licensed premises in the town similar to a successful scheme that is already running in Ludlow.

But despite 14 invitations being sent to pubs and shops in Bishop's Castle and surrounding villages, the town's Co-op was the only store represented at the first meeting on Monday.

Invitations were sent to all five pubs in Bishop's Castle, as well as Harry Tuffins, and pubs and stores in villages such as Norbury, Wentnor and Lydbury North.

Mr Price says he will host another meeting at The Boar's Head on January 31 in a second bid to establish the scheme. If the group was set up it could help create a network of schemes in south Shropshire which would discourage people from behaving in an anti-social manner.

Ludlow's Pubwatch has proved a success since it was launched in the summer with several people banned from all licensed premises in the town.

Mr Price said: "Fourteen invitations were sent out well before Christmas to all licensed premises in the area which were followed up by phone calls and visits from police representatives. They all said they were willing to take part, we know they got the invitations and no-one got in touch to say they couldn't come.

"The only person to show up at the pub was the licensee from the Co-op in Bishop's Castle. Kelly Harris, the Pubwatch coordinator, travelled all the way from Telford for the meeting but no-one else from the area made it and it's pretty embarrassing.

"If we can get Pubwatch set up it would encompass nearby villages. If someone was then banned from pubs in Craven Arms they could extend the ban to us and we could maybe link up with places further afield like Ludlow and Cleobury Mortimer."

The meeting on January 31 will be at 10.30am. Details on (01588) 638521.

By Peter Kitchen