Police issue final warning to customers of Sutton pub that could face closure if they don't behave

Nottinghamshire Police have given punters at The Devonshire Arms in Sutton-in-Asa final warning to behave sensibly or face their local pub shutting down.

It comes after there have been trouble at the pub in High Pavement on the last two Saturdays, as the boozer closed early on July 4 – the first day pubs were allowed to reopen since lockdown – because of the disorder.

Officers made four arrests and at least three pubs in Mansfield and Ashfield on Super Saturday, with reports of multiple injuries and several arrests that saw the Nag’s Head in Sutton, the Jug and Glass in Mansfield Woodhouse, The Swan and The Ravensdale in Mansfield also shut.

Nottinghamshire Police and Ashfield District Council announced yesterday (Thursday, July 16) they are working closely with the The Devonshire Arms’ licensees to help keep customers safe as the pub reopens.

Neighbourhood Inspector Mark Dickson said: “We have agreed that the pub will have to prevent incidents or face further action.

“The pub’s management is engaging well with us and working to resolve the issues.

"However, there is a huge personal responsibility for customers visiting the pub to behave sensibly.

“It’s those customers who I would like to appeal to and say, if you can’t follow the guidelines then ultimately you will not be able to visit your local pub – I’m sure nobody wants that.

“We’re committed to keeping the public safe, including on a night out, and to see these kinds of incidents repeated is not acceptable.

"Everyone needs to take responsibility for their own actions when they go out for a drink – even more so during a pandemic.

“We want to work with businesses and support them, but we will look at license reviews and closures as a last resort where it becomes necessary to do so.”

Councillor Helen-Ann Smith, Cabinet Member for Community Safety added: “It saddens us that following the lifting of restrictions residents are choosing to behave this way.

"Ashfield District Council are working closely with the Police and the landlord to ensure that the actions of a few do not spoil things for everyone.

"All parties are keen to work together, but Ashfield District Council will take a strong line with regards to anti-social behaviour and the need to respect the rights of the local community.

“Antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated by Ashfield District Council.

"As restrictions continue to lift we ask that residents take responsibility for their actions, otherwise they put the pubs they visit at risk of closure.”

The Devonshire Arms confirmed they will reduce the number of customers allowed into the premises, introduce a last entry time and reorganised how punters are served.

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