Pub to be for members only

A Shropshire pub is to become a members only venue in a bid to crackdown on crime and disorder. The idea was put forward by the management of Naughty Nells.

The pub in Park Street, Shifnal, suggested the idea to licensing officers during a licensing review of the establishment at Bridgnorth District Council's Westgate offices yesterday.

Police applied to the council for a licence review because they felt the pub was not meeting its "licensing objectives".

Premises supervisor Tom Clark said they wanted to get the place back running as they wanted it and were currently looking into a new membership scheme.He said: "We are going to make it a members only venue and people will be able to join by showing two forms of identification and filling in an application form.

"This way we can keep a track on who is going in and if anyone causes any trouble they will be banned. This will include anyone who causes trouble in Shifnal, they will not be allowed in."

Mr Clark told the licensing committee that members would be allowed one guest and be responsible for that person's behaviour.

Police licensing officer Tony Mantle said officers had been monitoring Naughty Nells and had become concerned that objectives of the Licensing Act were not being met. These include preventing crime and disorder and public nuisance, protecting public safety and protection of children from harm.

In addition to the new membership scheme, the premises will only be licensed from noon until 1.30am, instead of up to 2.30am each day.

Naughty Nells has until May 21 to implement the new conditions.