By Mark Mackay

A PERTH city centre pub has been banned from serving alcohol after Tayside Police branded the hostelry unsafe.

Bar Retreat generates more incidents for Tayside Police than any other in Perth and Kinross.

In the past six months policehave had to deal with 32 incidents originating in the Fleshers’ Vennel premises.

A senior officer has warned that the force has “little confidence that someone could go into the premises without fear of being assaulted or abused.”

Just last month, licensee Pamela Paterson—who has since been sacked—had her licence suspended for a year after Perth and Kinross licensing board reacted to “an appalling litany of incidents.”

Now owner BM Taverns’ new licensee-to-be Louise McLean has been told she does not have the experience to turn around the problem pub.

Bar Retreat will now be booze-free until a new nominee can prove to board members that they are up to the task.

Miss McLean’s solicitor told the board her client had 10 years of licensing experience at local pubs including The Silver Broom and the Auld House.

She said changes had been made on the premises, including the introduction of a working CCTV system, new staff and a new security company to carry out door work.

But Superintendent Ian Bell, of Tayside Police, told the board there were serious issues at Bar Retreat.

“There have been 32 incidents recorded in the past six months, including a serious assault, fights within and outwith the premises, noise nuisance and disturbance,” he said.

Mr Bell added, “Many of these incidents predated the applicant becoming licensee, but some have occurred since she took over.

“In 30 years of policing in Perth and Kinross I cannot remember a series of incidents that are more reflective of ineffective management.”

Licensing board members heard of five incidents within the month of August, including incidents of violence on the 15th and 19th and latterly on the 20th, when a patron was “punched, kicked and struck with a knife.”

Police said that in two of the incidents members of staff had proved uncooperative to officers.

In response, Miss McLean’s solicitor said one member of staff had been sacked, while the changes made by her client had ensured there were no significant incidents in the past five weeks.

But Mr Bell warned, “What has been done seems to have been a panic reaction and there has been little movement that has not been police prompted.

“I have seen little evidence that the premises are a safe environment for patrons to drink.”

He added, “I feel a little sorry for Miss McLean.

“She was parachuted in on the day that the previous incumbent left and was clearly not supported in her early time there.

“She should have been made aware of the bar’s history and of past incidents.”

Miss McLean’s application was unanimously rejected by board members.