Pub gets midnight licence

The effect of the new licence is that the popular pub in Eastgate Street will be able to stay open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Malcolm Hedges, in charge, says he wants to turn The Volunteer back to being a music and entertainment venue.

Tonight (Friday) sees the first extension. The special licence was granted by Lewes licensing magistrates last week.

There were no objections from police, other pubs or any organisations or individuals in the town.

'We have liaised with police and there have been no objections from anyone,' added Mr Hedges.

'We are not in a residential area and the largest car park in the town is next door.

'I have a zero tolerance towards any misbehaviour whatsoever, and on the nights in question we will have fully trained and licensed security staff on duty.

'There will be CCTV cameras inside and outside.'

There will be no entry or re-entry after 10pm to deter people who have been drinking elsewhere and then want to drink in The Volunteer until late.

One benefit of the varied licensing hours will be that people will be able to leave pubs over a longer period, rather than all at once, he added.

Mr Hedges is also an active member of Pub Watch in which licensees ring each other up in the event of trouble.

l In July pub licensing will be taken out of the hands of magistrates and made the responsibility of local authorities, but it is not expected that this will lead to more Lewes pubs applying for the special hours licence.