A LANDLORD is offering to welcome back drinkers who have been banned from pubs in Fenland, after setting up his own breakaway Pub Watch scheme.

Nigel Marsh – who runs George’s in March High Street – says he may be prepared to veto some of the banning orders imposed by March and District Pub Watch.

“Individuals can come to us and apply for their ban to be lifted and put their case forward, and I will then speak to the landlord concerned” said Nigel this week. “I am offering a fair hearing for those who are on Pubwatch”

He will continue to ban customers who have caused a problem in his pub, and will consider any new bans on “a case by case basis.”

“Banning orders imposed by March and District Pub Watch will be upheld at George’s as a risk limitation, subject to review,” he added.

I reserve the right to veto any decision of banning order if not shown to be a wise application based on limitation of risk in my property.”

Nigel launched the splinter March Pub Watch – with a membership of one – after claiming that the March and District Pub Watch failed to share information, and had imposed bans as punishment rather than risk management.

Nigel stresses that George’s will continue to run “a tight ship” with a zero tolerance policy on illegal substances, abusive language and thuggish behaviour.

“I am fully in favour of banning orders, but they should be for the protection of our premises and not as a punishment,” he added.

“We are not authorised to give out punishments, banning orders should be to limit possible problems in our establishments.

“The aim of the new March Pub Watch is purely to share information, and to reduce risk in the town.”

Nigel expects to be thrown out of March and District Pub Watch when they meet next week, but says he is willing to continue as a member.

He says other landlords are welcome to use the new March Pub Watch web site “as a portal to share information regarding the risk management if incidents.”