Wetherspoons pub in Wisbech faces no further action after review of its licence

A busy town centre pub accused of failing to protect one of its customers is facing no further action after facing a licensing panel.

The landlord of the Wheatsheaf Inn in the town’s Church Terrace found himself before Fenland District Council’s licensing committee on Tuesday afternoon following a complaint by Wisbech councillor Sam Hoy.

Cllr Hoy called for a review of the Wheatsheaf’s licence following an incident at the JD Wetherspoon’s owned pub on August 29 this year.

The hearing at Fenland Hall went into private session at Cllr Hoy’s request.

She wanted the press and public excluded to protect one of her witnesses from possible repercussions.

In her application for the review Cllr Hoy said: “On the 29th August 2024 between 11pm and midnight my constituent was out at the Wheatsheaf with a small group of young friends (19 years) when a group of travellers in their 30s tried to start a fight with them.

“They followed them around and harassed them and said they would be waiting outside for them when they left.

“My constituent reported this to the bar staff but received no help. He asked if they could call the police but was told the police would laugh at him.

“He said if he left the pub he would get beaten up as they were waiting for him. The manager said it didn't matter and he had to leave, he was fortunately taken out the back exit by a family friend but the travellers waited outside for approximately one hour.

“Had my constituent gone out the front as instructed by the manager it is likey he would have been severely injured.

“The Wheatsheaf has a duty to protect its customers, particularly when a concern is raised.

“This is not the correct way for a licensed premise to behave. They do not appear to take public safety seriously or look to prevent harm. They did not ban the customers who were unruly, and they did not escalate any concerns.”

After the hearing, a spokesperson for JD Wetherspoons said: “Wetherspoon’s representatives at the hearing outlined its policies and procedures in this area, in which all employees are trained, to the licensing committee.

“They explained that after investigating the events in question, including a review of the CCTV, the company was satisfied that the matter had been dealt with appropriately with no risk to the customer concerned.

“As a result, the committee decided that no further action was required in response to the review application.”