http://www.thepublican.com/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=19716&d=32&h=24&f=23&dateformat=%25o%20%25B%20%25Y

The Publican
Council says sorry for shutting pub
Published 2nd February 2006
A council has apologised for closing a West Yorkshire pub temporarily because the personal licence-holder was not present.

The Generous Pioneer, a Wacky Warehouse pub in Burley-in-Wharfedale, was shut down for 45 minutes by officials from Bradford Metropolitan District Council on January 22.

But under the Licensing Act pubs are not required to have a personal licence-holder on site at all times.

The pub was allowed to reopen after the council admitted its mistake.

Tracy McCluckie, Bradford Council's licensing manager, said: "It was a misunderstanding which has now been
cleared up.

"We have written to the licence holder and apologised for any inconvenience."

But a spokeswoman for Wacky Warehouse operator Spirit Group, now owned by Punch Taverns, said the company had yet to receive a letter of apology from the council.

She added the closure had caused "both an adverse effect on trade and the enjoyment of our customers".

Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations, said: "We accept that there will be some misunderstandings involving council officials and pubs, but hopefully this has clarified what pubs are allowed to do under the new Act."