Pub landlord: we run a tight ship at The Bell

Remarks by local police chief, Inspector James Scott, reported in last week's Observer, suggested closure of the Pelham pub had led to anti-social elements shifting their ground to The Bell, in Bexhill Old Town.

But Rik Cowlard has managed The Bell, an Enterprise Inn, for the past four years, and said: "I run a tight ship. In all the time I've been here no one has been put on Barwatch for an offence at the Bell."

Barwatch is a system linking pubs around the town, with licensees alerting one another to potential troublemakers and barring those considered undesirable.

Mr Cowlard, 40, admitted that he himself had been put on Barwatch, although an allegation against him had not yet been proven, but insisted this had nothing to do with the way he runs The Bell.

He said: "I grew up in Sidley and The Bell is my home. I live upstairs above the bar. That means I don't want any problems here and I don't get them.

"The people who cause trouble in the town centre do not come in here because I control them. Being local means I know who they are and they're not allowed in."

Mr Cowlard, who served as a soldier for eight years and 12 as a doorman, added: "We run a good pub here. We try our best and we feel that comments to the contrary simply give the wrong impression.

"We are like angels here compared to the rest of the town. We don't need doormen and I can only once remember calling the police here to escort four people off the premises because of their behaviour."

Mr Cowlard pointed to the pub's "family" credentials - serving meals, providing live music to suit many tastes and supporting local charities, notably the Barby Keel Animal Sanctuary at Freezeland Lane, Sidley.

Forthcoming musical gigs this month include Dead Calm, Bronnie Richards, Suspect, Terry Pack and Tonight We Fly.

Asham Jeeawon, who owns the lease on The Bell and who made his friend Mr Cowlard its manager, said: "In all the time we've been here we've never had any problems and I am at a loss to explain the police's remarks."

Insp Scott said: "We have not indicated that the Bell is badly run. But former clients at the Pelham have dispersed to other pubs and bars since it was closed."

Insp Scott said that in view of the concerns expressed, he intended to visit the Bell personally to speak to its management team.

* User reviews on the website, www.beerintheevening.com, tend to support impressions that The Bell has been working hard to establish a good reputation.

In September 2008 one said: "The new owner deserves praise indeed for doing his best to provide at least one decent pub in Bexhill to go too for all ages.

"This is a busy pub, especially with young people, who have a hard time of it around here growing up and just being young. Very nice pub."

And another, a month later, said: "You have to praise this guy for trying to bring some life back into the pubs in Bexhill.

"Two real ales on tap - the usual Harveys and also local brewer Whites. Both in good condition when I called by. More a bistro than a pub but so what when the barman and locals were so pleasant to a newcomer."