Stevenage Pubwatch

Stevenage is one of the most vibrant entertainment venues outside of London, and while all tastes are catered for, alcohol obviously plays a major role in the pubs, clubs and restaurants. In total Stevenage has over 110 licensed premises, ranging from small wine bars to large clubs on the leisure park.

In order that all the licensees could exchange information and work together to make Stevenage an enjoyable and safe place to have a nice out, Stevenage started the PubWatch scheme. This is a national scheme which promotes good practice among license holders and bar staff, ensuring that standards are set and maintained amongst member premises.

In Stevenage, nearly 50% of all the licensed premises are members and this figure is growing every month.

All member premises operate a “Banned from one - Banned from all” policy. If anyone’s behaviour towards staff or other customers is such that they are ejected from a premises, they can be banned, not just from that pub or club, but from every member establishment. All members now have a radio link so information about troublesome customers can be relayed between premises very quickly.

Since PubWatch numbers have increased the level of violent crime in Stevenage has dropped and crime in licensed premises has continued to fall.

Members also subscribe to the “Behave or be Banned” policy whereby any form of behaviour which is detrimental to staff or other customers will simply not be tolerated.

PubWatch meets regularly and if you need more information or if you are a licensee and want to come along, call the Stevenage Borough Council Licensing Officer on 01438 242077.