The Drunken Duck in High Street, Walsall Wood closed its doors with immediate effect on June 12 after Walsall Council revoked its premises licence over a series of issues including a violent incident at the premises on May 10 which resulted in a man being taken to hospital with a suspected broken jaw. This incident triggered a licensing review which led to councillors closing it down.
However, landlady Della Pilbeam claims she is the victim of a “vendetta” and that she was now homeless as a result of those decisions after pumping more than 拢20,000 into sprucing up the building, the garden and installing CCTV.
Meanwhile brewery chain Ei Group Ltd, which is part of the Stonegate Group, told councillors it had already given her notice when the disorder took place.
The licensing sub-committee decision report stated: “In addition to the trigger incident West Midlands Police have provided evidence of other associated violent altercations that night at The Drunken Duck on May 10.
“The licensing sub committee determined that from the information provided by the police regarding the trigger incident and other issues there was poor management at the premises, and this was attributed to Miss Pilbeam.
The premises licence holder has shown no responsibility for promotion of licensing objective and shown non-compliance with licensing conditions and interim steps conditions, being in breach of licensing conditions.
“Therefore, it was the view of the sub-committee that the premises licence holder had demonstrated a clear inability to promote and uphold the licensing objectives and be a responsible premises licence holder and designated premises supervisor. Additionally, that the premises licence holder had shown a flagrant disregard to licensing objectives and her behaviour and attitude undermines the licensing objectives.”
The report further stated: “For the reasons set out, the sub-committee has no confidence in this premises licence holder promoting the licensing objectives in the future. Nor does the sub-committee believe she would abide by any new conditions and run a safe venue if given permission to do so.
“The licensing sub-committee considered all information presented – CCTV, written and oral and determine and conclude that the appropriate and proportionate step in order to promote the licensing objectives is to revoke the premises licence and suspend interim steps conditions.”
Miss Pilbeam, aged 39, was given 21 days from receiving the decision notice to lodge an appeal against it at the magistrates court. She insisted that he had been protecting her customers when trouble broke out that involved a 鈥榥umber of staff and customers鈥 and that she adhered to restrictions put on the premises after the incident.
Stonegate Group told the Express & Star: 鈥淭he agreement with the publican at the Drunken Duck has been terminated in line with the clauses of our agreement. Due to ongoing legal matters we are unable to comment further.鈥
The Drunken Duck came top of a national poll to find the best pub names earlier this year run by Simply Business. The site is thought to be among four pubs with the same name, with others in Durham, Cumbria’s Ambleside and Gloucester.
Are there any pubs that you think have a better name? Let us know in the comments below.