Pub landlord hits out at rules jobs threat

Twelve people would be out of jobs if strict rules are brought in at a West Bromwich pub, its landlord said today.

Police want The Marksman in West Bromwich to close at 1am instead of 2.30am after complaints were made about drug taking.

But boss Belal Hussain has said the move would ruin his trade because the pub does not get going at weekends until midnight as revellers arrive from discount bar Wetherspoons. He said he would be forced to lay off huge numbers of staff if the move went ahead. Insp Pat Smythe, West Midlands Police licensing chief for Sandwell, has called for the pub to introduce full-time toilet attendants and to close earlier.

He has also raised concerns about people using the outdoor smoking area to pass drugs. But Mr Hussain, who has run the pub for a year, said: "We already have attendants in the toilets so they are trying to impose a regulation we already have in place. This will kill our trade if they make us close at 1am. We are one of very few places that open late in West Bromwich. The answer would be allow more places to open late meaning that people would be dispersed.

"We do everything we can to stop people using drugs. We search people but we cannot search their underwear. If people are determined to bring in drugs they will and that will happen at any venue."

Mr Hussain employs 16 people at weekends at 12 security staff work on a rota. But he said: "Altogether I think 12 people could lose their jobs if we have to close early."

In December Mr Hussain started giving every customer one free spirit for one hour over weekends in a move dubbed "irresponsible" by licensing chiefs.

Mr Hussain has previously pledged that staff would keep an eye on people to make sure they did not take advantage of the deals and drink too much. The hearing will take place next month.