Harrogate pub Coach & Horses loses licence for breaking lockdown rules

The landlord of the Coach & Horses has been stripped of his licence.

The Coach & Horses, on West Park, Harrogate, was visited by police and council officers several times across the Spring bank holiday weekend when crowds of up to 45 customers gathered outside.

The landlord, John Nelson, told officers on 31 May he would only remove the furniture he set up adjacent to his pub if he was served a prohibition notice, which was handed to him the same day.

The decision to revoke his licence was made today at Harrogate Borough Council's licensing committee meeting.

Coun Victoria Oldham said the pub made a "serious failure" and "blatant disregard" of the lockdown rules, which at the time allowed the sale of takeaway alcohol, but not for consumption on any pub premises or outdoor area.

Harrogate’s newest multi-million health spa set to reopen this weekend

North Yorkshire Police also called for the pub's licence to be revoked.

PC Jackie Allen told councillors the force had received 44 complaints about customers at the pub breaking social distancing rules, saying they "caused alarm and distress to the local community”.

Councillors also heard how council staff had faced verbal abuse from drinkers, with one customer following officers back to their cars.

Bar stools, beer barrels and chairs were set up outside the pub for customers to use across four days on the bank holiday weekend, with CCTV footage showing the furniture was still used after the prohibition notice was served.

New report points to 'strong leadership' by North Yorkshire County Council during pandemic

A lawyer for Mr Nelson said he accepted that he made a "chronic error of judgement”.

He added the pub had been serving takeaway beer as part of a fundraiser for a local charity, Horticap, selling flowers and drinks.

The charity has distanced itself from the pub's actions and refused to accept the £3,000 that was raised.

Mr Nelson's lawyer said: “He is chronically embarrassed that this is in the public domain. He regrets it hugely.”

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter