Marston's Plc shut Wimborne pub when it heard of 'brawl'

Representatives of The White Hart in Corn Market, Wimborne, will be dragged in front of Dorset Council’s licensing sub-committee where its future will be decided. 

It follows a ‘fight’ in November which police believe was “escalated by staff members”. 

Marston's Plc’s solicitor said bosses at the chain “ensure[d] the premises ceased to operate” and “removed the individual from his occupation of the premises” when the fight became known to management. 

In a letter, the solicitor went on to add that “all evidence” including CCTV was handed over to Dorset Police. 

“[Marston’s Plc] do not condone or accept the actions of those individuals described in the review papers to be acceptable,” the solicitor added. 

The Corn Market Resident’s Association said the committee was “appalled” by the alleged fight police believe was “escalated by those responsible”.

Read more: The White Hart, Wimborne under investigation over brawl

A spokesperson said in a letter that lately there has been a “level of poor behaviour, particularly on leaving the pub” which has “increased”. 

“We invited the family to apply for membership of the CMRA, as our experience in the past of the publicans as members has been good.  

“Matters of concern have been aired in a friendly and constructive way. Sadly, our offer was not accepted.” 

The committee suggested the watering hole closes earlier in the hopes it “shakes off its image as a pub where it is alleged that drugs can be bought, sold and consumed, and where little attention is paid to the sobriety of its customers”. 

Police are continuing to investigate the incident at the 17th-century pub and have interviewed a man in his 20s who is under investigation but was not arrested. 

Sergeant Gareth Gosling, of Dorset Police, said the force “no longer has any confidence in the designated premises supervisor or premises licence holder to uphold the licensing objectives”. 

The hearing will be held on Thursday, December 21.