A Slaithwaite pub notorious for drug use, anti-social behaviour and underage drinking has been allowed to re-open to the dismay of local people.
The Silent Woman at Nabbs Lane closed its doors in December last year amid such unsavoury allegations. West Yorkshire Police had called for a review of the licence but before this could be carried out, the licence was surrendered by the former licence holder.
Now, new licensee, Nicola Hunter says she can turn the place around and hopes to transform it into a “cutesy country pub” that’s a hit with walkers and families. Ms Hunter took on York’s Bootham Tavern seven years ago, which was described as “very problematic” under previous management, with this now said to be thriving.
She told the meeting of Kirklees Council’s Licensing Panel on 22 August of the measures she’s brought in at her York premises, including fitting CCTV and having a zero tolerance of drugs. The pub also keeps a refusal log and has a “rogues gallery” with photos of underage drinkers so staff know who to turn down.
Ms Hunter who originally hails from Slaithwaite, wants to replicate this approach in The Silent Woman. She added: “I understand that it cannot open as it was”.
However, despite her plans, locals were not convinced, with 14 representations made against the application and several residents attending the meeting, urging the panel to turn down the licence due to the devastating impact it would have on their lives.
A video was played during the meeting demonstrating the noise and foul language that residents had been subjected to coming from the pub. A couple who attended the meeting said they had been driven out of their home due to the homophobic abuse they had suffered at the hands of pub-goers.
Another resident who attended was mum-of-three, Sarah Young, who has lived in her property nearby for 21 years. She said: “The Silent Woman has been an eyesore in the village for the entire time that I’ve lived there.”
Ms Young said the pub was frequented by “hardened drinkers” and added: “While the new licensee may be a different person, she will be hosting the core clientele – they will come back to this pub.”
She also spoke on behalf of her neighbours who had described the pub as a “hotspot” for drug use and anti-social behaviour and felt it had been a “breath of fresh air” since the pub had been closed.
Ultimately, the Licensing Panel granted the licence with the conditions that no alcohol would be consumed outside of the premises, the beer garden not to be opened, and that there would be a clearly marked smoking area at the front of the building. In addition, CCTV will have to be installed both internally and externally, and no minors are to be allowed on the premises after 8pm every day.
