Oldest pub will shut its doors if EDL rally goes ahead (From The Bolton News)

Oldest pub will shut its doors if EDL rally goes ahead

6:13am Friday 12th March 2010 in

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THE oldest pub in Bolton will be shutting its doors and boarding up its windows if the planned rally by the English Defence League (EDL) goes ahead this month.

The controversial protest is due to take place in Bolton town centre on Saturday, March 20.

There will be a huge police presence in the town to keep the peace between EDL supporters and those from Unite Against Fascism who are planning to hold a Celebration of Unity event on the same day.

John Jewitt who runs the Ye Olde Man and Scythe in Churchgate will lose hundreds of pounds in profit by closing on the busiest day of the week, but said he felt he had to take the precaution to protect his pub — a Grade II listed building.

He said: “We are going to close all day on Saturday. We don’t feel we can protect the old building, our customers and ourselves properly in the circumstances.

“It was a difficult decision. A Saturday is about a third of my normal weekly takings.

“In order to protect the building we are going to take the precaution of putting wooden panels over windows.”

Mr Jewitt added that he supported Bolton Council’s application to the Home Secretary to get the rally banned.

The Bolton News reported yesterday that police and council bosses were urging town centre businesses to stay open, but also asking people not to be provoked into taking part in the protests.

Tony O’Gorman, chairman of Bolton town centre’s Pub Watch scheme and landlord of The Brass Cat, in Churchgate, said every town centre pub was approaching the day differently.

Many were closing then opening in the evening with door staff. Police have urged licensees to only serve alcohol in plastic glasses, to make sure their CCTV systems are working, and to report any suspicious activity.

Pubs are also being encouraged not to have any cheap drinking promotions on that night.

Mr O’Gorman added: “I was thinking of doing a closed door policy and just serving regulars during the day on Saturday, then opening the pub at 7pm with door staff. Everyone is taking precautions because nobody knows what’s going to happen.”

Other town centre businesses are also considering what precautions to take.

Mike Turner, who manages the Norton Barrie store in Bradshawgate, said he had considered boarding up the store’s three front windows but had now decided against it.

“We are just going to see how it goes. We are definitely staying open but I don’t think we will do much trade as I think people will be staying out of the town centre,” he said.