Stroud bar which attracts 'pot smoking yobs' could lose licence

Stroud District Council held a licensing hearing today at Ebley Mill into the Carlton Club in London Road, which could have  its licence tightened up, suspended or even revoked.

The focus of attention was one of the authority's own members Nick Housden - who represents Stonehouse on SDC and Gloucestershire County Council as a Conservative councillor.

He became the chairman of the Carlton, a former Conservative club, in March last year.

Gloucestershire police had requested a review and suspension of the premises certificate.

There have been eight incidents at the club since Cllr Housden took over.

Police said ahead of today’s hearing that the club was not being run responsibly, was not being conducted in good faith and they had “lost confidence in the chairman, who appears to have a distinct disregard for the licence and importance of legal compliance.”

There were also concerns of non-members drinking at the club.

However, after agreeing a range of amendments to tighten up the conditions of the club’s premises certificate, they withdrew their call for a three month suspension.

David Maciolek, a resident, said people in Stroud were “fed up with yobs congregating in the club’s gardens and shouting, swearing and smoking pot”.

He told the meeting residents are frightened about speaking out about the club and called for the licence to be revoked.

“People have been hurt in that club, there have been fights,” he said. “It could have been a serious outcome.

“Eight people fighting outside and inside the club. A woman smashed in the face, this can’t go on.

“People are walking off the street, going up to those tables, sitting on them. Friends going into the bar buying them some drinks.

“They don’t need to become a member because members are buying them drinks.

“The residents are suffering because of these idiots on these benches. I would like to see them removed for safety.

“The club cannot keep an eye on what is happening outside. People driving through Stroud see these yobs, and that’s all they are, is yobs on those benches.

“They are behaving badly. That’s sometimes the first impression of Stroud. It’s not a nice one. We don’t want it, Stroud is a nice town.

“When you put all these yobs together you get criminality. “We are here because of Mr Housden’s attitude to his licence.

“He’s got a cavalier attitude. He didn’t adhere, the police contacted him.

“There were eight incidents at the club. He should have controlled the incidents straight away.

“I don’t think this club is run properly nor that it ever will. He’s only holding his hands up now because he’s been caught.”

Ewen Macgregor, representing the club, said it was clear that the required standards had not been met.

He apologised but said since Mr Housden joined the club as chairman he has tried to get it on an “even footing”.

“Mr Housden has grasped the nettle here and he fully appreciates he is very much drinking in the last chance saloon,” he said.

“I’ve made it abundantly clear to Mr Housden that is where he finds himself.”

He said the last reported incident was in October and there has has been a significant improvement in the management of the club since.

Mr Housden said the conditions have been agreed in their totality. He said when he joined the club there was structural work needed and issues around staffing.

However, dealing with issues around licensing conditions took second place, he conceded.

“I and the committee apologise for that,” he said.

“Prior to this review beginning and during the review we have worked closely with the police to address all issues they have raised.

“There’s been significant investment from the club in staff training, new processes and new equipment that we’ve brought in to meet these conditions.”

He said there have not been any complaints since October 2023.

Darren Stewart, representing the police, said their rationale has always been to achieve a situation where the licensing objectives are met.

“The police will have eyes on this,” he said.

“If there is a derivation from those conditions, everyone is clear what the next steps would be.”

PC Nicholas Battye said hopefully going forward there will not be any breaches. He said it is up to the club to ensure that people are safe.

“If there are further incidents and breaches we would take a measured approach in the future.”

Chairman Beki Aldam (G, Brimscombe and Thrupp) said the panel would retire to consider the review and make their decision.

A summary of the decision will be notified to all parties within five working days of it being made.

If the new conditions agreed between the club and the police are accepted by the committee there would be strict rules on keeping the inner doors closed at all times except for access and egress and no members or bona fide guests would be admitted after 10.15pm and 11pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

A high definition CCTV system will be installed and nobody under 18 will be allowed into the club unless they are accompanied by an adult member or bona fide guest.

There would also be a signing-in register in operation at all times and an incident log book.