New era for Ponteland pub

PONTELAND'S Blackbird Inn has been taken over by a growing North East leisure chain.

Principle Leisure Group (PLG) hopes to create 20 full and part-time jobs at the premises following refurbishment.

Phase one of the works is expected to be completed at the end of the month and when re-opened the venue will offer an extensive drinks list and a new gastro-pub style menu, created by PLG Executive Head Chef Lucas Morrison, who will head up the Blackbird kitchen.

The acquisition takes the group's portfolio to 12 bars and restaurants and is particularly welcomed by PLG Managing Director Stuart Young, who counted the pub as a regular haunt in the 1970s and 1980s.

Source: Morpeth Herald

Publicans rally round to call time on disorder

PONTELAND'S licensees have teamed up with police to clamp down on drunk and disorderly behaviour.

Following the success of other similar initiatives across Northumberland, Neighbourhood Beat Manager Paul Henery met with local licensees in the village and Darras Hall and they agreed to form their own PubWatch scheme.

All of the 21 licensed premises in Ponteland have signed up. They include nine pubs, a leisure centre and social club, eight restaurants, three supermarkets and one off-licence.

PC Henery said: "PubWatch schemes are running in other parts of Northumberland and are proving a real success in addressing alcohol-related crime and disorder.

"After speaking with local residents here in Ponteland, it became apparent that some of their concerns could be addressed by introducing a PubWatch scheme in the area.

"Due to the relatively small number of pubs in the town centre we have managed to get all of the licensed premises to sign up to the scheme, which is fantastic.

"And it means if someone is banned from one of the pubs then they won't be able to go to a restaurant or somewhere else that sells alcohol and cause more trouble."

The PubWatch members appointed landlord Paul Holliday, owner of the Diamond Inn, as Chairman of the scheme.

He will attend meetings held every two months with police, local council officers and the other licensees signed up to the scheme to discuss any current local problems and share national good practice between members.

Mr Holliday said: "It's an excellent way to give the licensees and public in Ponteland a united voice to deal with a number of issues in the town, the chance to liaise with the police and council regularly and it helps ensure Ponteland remains a safe drinking environment for residents and visitors."

Morpeth already operates a successful PubWatch initiative, which is supported by many premises and landlords throughout the town.
For further information about PubWatch schemes contact the local neighbourhood policing team on 03456 043043.

Source: Morpeth Herald