Great Yarmouth's Peggotty's alcohol licence review delayed

Luck, Lust, Liquor and Grind - also known as Peggotty’s - in Great Yarmouth was due to have its alcohol licence reviewed at a meeting on Tuesday. 

The examination was set to be held by Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) at the request of Norfolk Constabulary, which has complained of drunken fights and women left in a vulnerable state outside the venue.

A total of 80 police incidents were reported at or around the pub in just a 12 month period, resulting in the police calling for the venue's hours to be cut to reduce the issues.

Lust, Luck, Liquor and Grinds - also known as Peggotty's (Image: George Thompson, LDR)

However, Gail Smith, the owner of the bar, insists improvements have already been made and the change was unnecessary.

A police report to the council’s licensing committee alleged that people, "particularly women" were being left in a vulnerable state and a review was needed.

“This is based on the continuing incidents at the venue and in particular recent incidents where a female was so intoxicated having left the venue, she was found collapsed, unable to walk and had soiled herself,” The report said. 

“In addition, there has been a recent incident of violence on the door of the premises which spilled out onto the street where both male and female customers were fighting.” 

Great Yarmouth Borough Council (Image: James Weeds)

Speaking after the meeting, Ms Smith said the delay was because they had only been sent some of the evidence on Thursday, meaning they could not address the issues raised. 

“We dealt closely with the police and had numerous meetings with the council and already put loads of measures in place at the beginning of the year,” she said. 

“We were under the impression that the issues had been resolved so it was a shock to receive this.” 

Measures implemented by the company include mandatory searches upon entry and a member of staff dedicated to customer welfare. 

The review will now be held on September 8.

Incidents at Luck, Lust, Liquor and Grind

The police report details around 80 "incidents, visits and interventions" between July 2022 and May 2023.

Recent incidents include several people who left the premises being involved in a "mass disturbance" on May 26.

This resulted in several people being assaulted and one woman being arrested.

On April 16, police recorded three incidents at the venue, with one woman found laying on the pavement on Greyfriars Way in a puddle of her own urine and vomit. 

On the same evening, a man was knocked unconscious while queuing to enter the venue, and later another man punched a bouncer.

A separate report by the environmental protection team at GYBC set out seven noise complaints that had been made to the council, including three in June 2023.