Landlord backs claims that gangs of drinkers are blighting York (From York Press)
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Landlord backs claims that gangs of drinkers are blighting York
8:50am Wednesday 12th September 2012 in News
By Julie Hayes, Business editor
Shaun Collinge
LARGE groups of binge drinkers descending on York from the north east for a boozy Saturday are a “blight on the city” a York landlord has said.
Shaun Collinge, landlord of The Maltings, agreed with concerned traders from Micklegate who spoke to The Press last week about problems there with a growing number of stag and hen parties visiting York, and said the issue affected other areas of the city centre.
He said his pub, in Tanner’s Moat, which specialises in real ale and continental beers, has had to employ security staff all day on a Saturday to cope with the increase in large groups visiting The Maltings on their way into the city centre.
Mr Collinge said most groups were looking to get drunk as quickly and as cheaply as possible. As a result, they would usually would stay for one drink and leave because The Maltings does not serve the drinks they want or offer cheap promotions.
He said: “They have no respect for anything or anybody and they have a pack mentality when there are ten or 12 of them out.”
He said the aggression was generally verbal when they were asked to adhere to the pubs no-swearing and no-singing policies, and they intimidated regular customers.
He said: “I feel sorry for people who take this beautiful city for what it is and get a bunch of morons who just want to get drunk as quickly as possible and as cheaply as possible. It’s a blight on our city.”
Coun Dafydd Williams, cabinet member for crime and stronger communities, said there was no evidence from reported incidents that it was a growing problem in York.
He said: “York will be as tough as it can be in terms of enforcement of alcohol misuse. But there is a limit to what can be achieved by enforcement alone and a cultural change is needed in how we as a society use alcohol.”
First TransPennine Express said alcohol was banned from its 7.27pm and 8.28pm York to Middlesbrough trains on Saturdays, the only services the company has to make alcohol free.
It also deploys additional staff and security officers to police the service, it said.
Meanwhile, a new scheme to reduce and prevent crime and antisocial behaviour in York’s nighttime economy held its first meeting yesterday.
Chairman Chris Bateman said publicans taking part in York Pubwatch agreed to share information with the police and discussed issues such as crime statistics and how working closely together could help reduce problems and ensure York continued to offer a great social experience within the licensed trade.
Mr Bateman said: “We had a really great turnout at the meeting and have had positive feedback for the scheme from licensees in the city. Several venues have signed an information sharing agreement with North Yorkshire Police which is fantastic, and several key topics have been discussed by the group.”
The next meeting will be held at 2pm on November 6 at Kuda Nightclub in Clifford Street. Licensees should emailing York Pubwatch secretary Adele Lord on adele@tokyoindustires.co.uk for further information.
Comments(67)
roskoboskovic
says...
9:40am Wed 12 Sep 12
Murphy_the_Spangle
says...
9:57am Wed 12 Sep 12
To be fair, the landlords in Newcastle probably feel the same, as visitors from the South descend on their city to binge drink cheaply and quickly. It's going to happen anywhere there is a nightlife scene.
As for Shaun, or any other publican, wanting regular clientele, why not? It is the regulars in a (proper) pub that help make the atmosphere, not groups of people who call in for one drink and then leave.
pedalling paul
says...
10:01am Wed 12 Sep 12
M.Lucas
says...
10:07am Wed 12 Sep 12
Yes, some businesses in York need this trade, but it is making parts of York no-go areas for many residents and families. There needs to be a balance between the competing interests of residents, families and those visitors here for boozy weekend. York's economy needs all three, but at the moment it seems that the Council are not doing enough to find a balance.
Cllr Williams stating 'there was no evidence from reported incidents that it was a growing problem in York' is just hiding behind statistics, 'reported incidents' being the key phrase. This is not just about increase in crime, this is about keeping the feeling of an open and welcoming city that York has in the past always been.
The number of stories and letters about this issue is growing year on year. Rather than waiting for an increase in 'reported incidents' the Council should act to make sure the centre of York doesn't become a no-go area for residents and those tourists who do not want to trawl around for a drink.
Woody G Mellor
says...
10:07am Wed 12 Sep 12
pedalling paul wrote:Yes. And 'your' wasting my time writing pointless posts like that.
Wish Shaun would correct the mispelling on his A boards outside....."no
w your wasting drinking time." to please read "now you're wasting drinking time".
jadestars
says...
10:17am Wed 12 Sep 12
Woody G Mellor wrote:oh dear ....
pedalling paul wrote: Wish Shaun would correct the mispelling on his A boards outside....."no w your wasting drinking time." to please read "now you're wasting drinking time".Yes. And 'your' wasting my time writing pointless posts like that.
chillout
says...
10:50am Wed 12 Sep 12
Garrowby Turnoff
says...
10:53am Wed 12 Sep 12
chillout wrote:You mean it's fowl tasting.
I love Beer - it tastes like Chicken ...
Murphy_the_Spangle
says...
11:07am Wed 12 Sep 12
chillout wrote:Everything tastes like chicken....except chicken!!
I love Beer - it tastes like Chicken ...
Rubber Lips
says...
11:25am Wed 12 Sep 12
Dafydd Williams
says...
11:26am Wed 12 Sep 12
M.Lucas wrote:I rarely comment on this site, but for the record - after commenting that there was no evidence from official figures that the problem is growing in York, I then said in my statement, which was not included in the article:
The centre of York is becoming a dreadful place on a Saturday night and I can agree with the landlord's comment about a 'pack mentality' for some of these groups. Yes, some businesses in York need this trade, but it is making parts of York no-go areas for many residents and families. There needs to be a balance between the competing interests of residents, families and those visitors here for boozy weekend. York's economy needs all three, but at the moment it seems that the Council are not doing enough to find a balance. Cllr Williams stating 'there was no evidence from reported incidents that it was a growing problem in York' is just hiding behind statistics, 'reported incidents' being the key phrase. This is not just about increase in crime, this is about keeping the feeling of an open and welcoming city that York has in the past always been. The number of stories and letters about this issue is growing year on year. Rather than waiting for an increase in 'reported incidents' the Council should act to make sure the centre of York doesn't become a no-go area for residents and those tourists who do not want to trawl around for a drink.
"However we are not complacent and we realise that if people are feeling threatened or uncomfortable then there remains a problem and one we are committed to tackling.
"We want people to be able to enjoy themselves and have fun. York is and should be a great place to do just that. But we don't want some people's good night out to spoil the fun of others."
I hope that sets the record straight.
M.Lucas
says...
11:37am Wed 12 Sep 12
Dafydd Williams wrote:Thank you Cllr Williams!
M.Lucas wrote:I rarely comment on this site, but for the record - after commenting that there was no evidence from official figures that the problem is growing in York, I then said in my statement, which was not included in the article:
The centre of York is becoming a dreadful place on a Saturday night and I can agree with the landlord's comment about a 'pack mentality' for some of these groups. Yes, some businesses in York need this trade, but it is making parts of York no-go areas for many residents and families. There needs to be a balance between the competing interests of residents, families and those visitors here for boozy weekend. York's economy needs all three, but at the moment it seems that the Council are not doing enough to find a balance. Cllr Williams stating 'there was no evidence from reported incidents that it was a growing problem in York' is just hiding behind statistics, 'reported incidents' being the key phrase. This is not just about increase in crime, this is about keeping the feeling of an open and welcoming city that York has in the past always been. The number of stories and letters about this issue is growing year on year. Rather than waiting for an increase in 'reported incidents' the Council should act to make sure the centre of York doesn't become a no-go area for residents and those tourists who do not want to trawl around for a drink.
"However we are not complacent and we realise that if people are feeling threatened or uncomfortable then there remains a problem and one we are committed to tackling.
"We want people to be able to enjoy themselves and have fun. York is and should be a great place to do just that. But we don't want some people's good night out to spoil the fun of others."
I hope that sets the record straight.
Really great to have a response from a Councillor (under their own name!).
Very poor from the Press for not including this part of the statement. I can understand editing for brevity, but not if it changes the tone of the statement given.
My apologies to Cllr Williams and thank you again for putting the record straight. Come on Press, in the words of Jon Stewart, We need the media to help us, not hurt us!
I look forward to hearing how the Council intend to talking this growing problem.
ReginaldBiscuit
says...
11:48am Wed 12 Sep 12
Rubber Lips wrote:He's a Leeds fan. As a Man United fan, when we've played at Elland Road in the past, we've always received a warm welcome. The coins and the spit usually start flying 2 minutes after kick-off.
I have actually come across Shaun in a pub, not his own, drunk and swearing, it seems as though this is acceptable for him to behave like this in others pubs. Very hypocritical for my liking. And all this coming from a football thug
Give the man credit though, his beer is always good, yes, he was born looking like that but so was John Merryck. As landlord, he has the legal right to refuse any undesirables entry to the Maltings so that takes care of the miscreants he's slating. Problem sorted.
LOLcano for Shaun (not of the dead).
goatman
says...
11:55am Wed 12 Sep 12
ReginaldBiscuit
says...
11:58am Wed 12 Sep 12
goatman wrote:Best kept beer in York is the Waggon & Horses in Lawrence St.
Keeping beer in good form is not enough in York.Perhaps Mr.Collinge would spend his time better by creating a welcome atmosphere in his pub for everybody, whether they be locals or one-timers. The beer in the Swan, Slip, Blue Bell, Brigantes, York Tap is at least as equally well kept as the Malting's - but the welcome in those pubs far exceeds anything I've encountered in Tanners Moat.
Jackanory2
says...
12:45pm Wed 12 Sep 12
Even AndyD
says...
12:49pm Wed 12 Sep 12
YSTClinguist
says...
1:07pm Wed 12 Sep 12
I've noticed an increase in security everywhere and just thought it was government legislation. If it is indeed true that security has had to be increased as a response to drinkers problems then it surely must be evidence of a problem? Also evidence our drinking culture is a social problem that must be addressed.
MilkandTwo
says...
1:41pm Wed 12 Sep 12
goatman wrote:Is that the Blue Bell that has a permanent "private party" sign on the door every Saturday night? OK it is a small place but...
Keeping beer in good form is not enough in York.Perhaps Mr.Collinge would spend his time better by creating a welcome atmosphere in his pub for everybody, whether they be locals or one-timers. The beer in the Swan, Slip, Blue Bell, Brigantes, York Tap is at least as equally well kept as the Malting's - but the welcome in those pubs far exceeds anything I've encountered in Tanners Moat.
Gazzmann
says...
1:42pm Wed 12 Sep 12
Do any of you that are commenting even go into York on a Saturday? What Shaun is saying is very true and when looking at reports in the Press of violence or people being beat up they always seem to be followed by, the youth was from the North East on a night out with a large group of friends... These people may bring money to the City but they also bring mindless violence. Maybe if we put some big signs at the Station pointing out where Salvation is we can just herd them to the chav dens and keep them out of the quality pubs!
yorkshirelad
says...
1:43pm Wed 12 Sep 12
On the issue, he is correct. We are all noticing more and more drunken boorish behaviour making York less and less pleasant on certain nights of the week.
Many of us avoid certain places on race days when the worst behaviour is, but it is becoming worse and worse on most Friday and Saturdays...and increasingly through the day.
I think talking of reported stats totally misses the point - there is a certain kind of behaviour which is offensive and threatening but which we all know never results in substantive police action - so people don't report it. Witness what you can get away with if you're dressed in a suit on race days....
YorkPatrol
says...
1:54pm Wed 12 Sep 12
Anyway, why gorgeous, scantily clad groups of girls would want to go in the Maltings is anyone’s guess
No wonder they only stay for one drink – the Malting’s smells of wee and I’m not sure of that’s the beer or the cliental
Steve,
says...
2:22pm Wed 12 Sep 12
captain nemo
says...
2:50pm Wed 12 Sep 12
YorkPatrol
says...
3:44pm Wed 12 Sep 12
captain nemo wrote:That’s a bit harsh – I know there are some odd people in the Malting’s but….
Exactly the place is full of **** heads they just can't wait till Friday to get a break from there partners. Blow all there money then leave in not day it is
AnotherPointofView
says...
5:27pm Wed 12 Sep 12
Woody G Mellor wrote:LOL. Fell off my seat at that one Woody.
pedalling paul wrote:Yes. And 'your' wasting my time writing pointless posts like that.
Wish Shaun would correct the mispelling on his A boards outside....."no
w your wasting drinking time." to please read "now you're wasting drinking time".
Why just pick on this particular posting from PP to tell him he's wasting your time writing pointless posts?
Guy Fawkes
says...
5:56pm Wed 12 Sep 12
Perhaps the reason that people have one drink in the Maltings and then leave could be down to it's cliquey atmosphere and unfriendly bar staff.
+1. I've only been in there once, one Sunday lunchtime a few years ago, and it was like Dustin Hoffman entering the pub in 'Straw Dogs'.
goatman
says...
6:00pm Wed 12 Sep 12
Garden Giant
says...
6:12pm Wed 12 Sep 12
Woody G Mellor
says...
6:20pm Wed 12 Sep 12
AnotherPointofView wrote:Because I'm really really rich and have nothing better to do with my life.
Woody G Mellor wrote:LOL. Fell off my seat at that one Woody.
pedalling paul wrote:Yes. And 'your' wasting my time writing pointless posts like that.
Wish Shaun would correct the mispelling on his A boards outside....."no
w your wasting drinking time." to please read "now you're wasting drinking time".
Why just pick on this particular posting from PP to tell him he's wasting your time writing pointless posts?
goatman
says...
6:26pm Wed 12 Sep 12
bob the builder
says...
6:33pm Wed 12 Sep 12
pedalling paul wrote:Can I do Mr Collinge a favour, "You're barred" - gramatical enough for any pedant? I go in the Maltings once or twice a year and find the atmosphere to my liking, how pubs used to be, before they became open area, standing room only, binge drinking theatres with a cast of foul mouthed, barely clad, overinked inebriates - and that's just the women!
Wish Shaun would correct the mispelling on his A boards outside....."no
w your wasting drinking time." to please read "now you're wasting drinking time".
nearlyman
says...
6:55pm Wed 12 Sep 12
nearlyman
says...
6:58pm Wed 12 Sep 12
Garden Giant
says...
7:26pm Wed 12 Sep 12
goatman wrote:never actually said you personally did "goatman"? however some people on this comments thread have made snide comments of a personal attack nature for example "a football thug". The topic is about gangs of "drinkers" blighting York so to those making playground comments lets stick to the topic instead of throwing insults about a successful York publican who in my experiences comes across as a cracking bloke who runs his boozer on a show respect get respect basis.
Garden Giant. I have described my bad experiences of visiting the Maltings. Please show me where I have made personal attacks on the landlord.
Ray winter
says...
8:00pm Wed 12 Sep 12
Ray winter
says...
8:00pm Wed 12 Sep 12
johnwill
says...
8:05pm Wed 12 Sep 12
Garden Giant
says...
8:08pm Wed 12 Sep 12
goatman
says...
8:13pm Wed 12 Sep 12
chunks
says...
8:44pm Wed 12 Sep 12
He makes a very valid point. There are certain times - particularly Saturday afternoons - when people should be entitled to go into the city centre with their children and feel safe.
goatman
says...
8:53pm Wed 12 Sep 12
Buzz Light-year
says...
8:58pm Wed 12 Sep 12
From my scant acquaintance Shaun is a decent friendly bloke. He barely knows me but he always says hello and asks how I am in the street.
He's a Yorkshireman selling decent beer, what's not to like?
If he's jumping on a bandwagon it's a good one.
He has a point.
The moaners and carpers on this website on the other hand...
PinzaC55
says...
9:01pm Wed 12 Sep 12
1) It isn't happening.
2) Its just people having fun.
3) If you don't like it, move.
4) Free publicity for the Maltings.
5) Pedalling Paul links it to attacks on cyclists.
6) The police don't do their job.
7) The council don't do their job.
8) It isn't the councils fault.
goatman
says...
9:07pm Wed 12 Sep 12
There's those that Mr Collinge likes and those that he doesn't, you're obviously one of the former and I must be one of the latter. Still, he's a successful businessman so he can do what he want's, eh? Must be nice to be such a rich publican in these hard times that one can pick and choose one's clientele. I'm off now to work on my tan, have a shave, and then go for a hike.
Buzz Light-year
says...
9:49pm Wed 12 Sep 12
goatman wrote:goatman wrote:
That's a very poor posting, Buzz. Why bring in the race element? There's those that Mr Collinge likes and those that he doesn't, you're obviously one of the former and I must be one of the latter. Still, he's a successful businessman so he can do what he want's, eh? Must be nice to be such a rich publican in these hard times that one can pick and choose one's clientele. I'm off now to work on my tan, have a shave, and then go for a hike.
the race element
It was analogy.
There's those that Mr Collinge likes and those that he doesn't, you're obviously one of the former and I must be one of the latter.
He probably knows you better than me.
Thanks for the red pen marking. I'll try to pull my socks up.
piaggio1
says...
10:52pm Wed 12 Sep 12
a scum supporter livin in yarkshire????
please no no no ,it,s just wrong. this is sort of like a gers fan going to see sceptic, it just do,s not happen
jgycfc
says...
1:22am Thu 13 Sep 12
And yes the chancellor is to blame with the price of sky-rocketing prices, but there's no policy that says The Maltings is to be a higher price for what is now a standard beer - Black Sheep - than anywhere else in the City of York.
Minguel
says...
1:42pm Thu 13 Sep 12
goatman wrote:100% correct. For a city the size of York there just isn't the space to try to be both 'Ye Olde' and attractive to groups on a night out with one intention (whether from York or not) without expecting there to be crossover in bottleneck areas. A sign on the exit to the station would be a good start. 'Turn left for the City of York. Turn right for Micklegate - where hope, taste and self-respect go to die'.
It strikes me that this city has an identity crisis and doesn't know what it wants to be. Taking the West Country as an example, does York want to be a Bath (City Walls, World Heritage Site) or a Bristol (Vibrant, Raucous)? If you sup with the Devil.....
Minguel
says...
1:50pm Thu 13 Sep 12
Minguel wrote:I just want to add that just because there is inevitable crossover that doesn't mean I think that the behaviour he is complaining about is acceptable. They specifically use the word 'gangs' rather than 'groups' which automatically identifies them as acting in a violent or threatening behaviour towards others which shouldn't be tollerated towards punters of pubs/bars at both ends of the spectrum.
goatman wrote:100% correct. For a city the size of York there just isn't the space to try to be both 'Ye Olde' and attractive to groups on a night out with one intention (whether from York or not) without expecting there to be crossover in bottleneck areas. A sign on the exit to the station would be a good start. 'Turn left for the City of York. Turn right for Micklegate - where hope, taste and self-respect go to die'.
It strikes me that this city has an identity crisis and doesn't know what it wants to be. Taking the West Country as an example, does York want to be a Bath (City Walls, World Heritage Site) or a Bristol (Vibrant, Raucous)? If you sup with the Devil.....
Minguel
says...
1:52pm Thu 13 Sep 12
It's the Middlesborough to York train we're worried about!
Garfie
says...
5:38pm Thu 13 Sep 12
eeoodares
says...
8:32pm Thu 13 Sep 12
Rubber Lips wrote:I met him in Biltmore, he overheard me saying to a mate how I prefer Real Ale pubs. He butted in VERY aggressively saying 'why don't I come in his fxxxxing pub'. Thankfully, before I responded my friend said ignore him he is known for being a bit aggressive.
I have actually come across Shaun in a pub, not his own, drunk and swearing, it seems as though this is acceptable for him to behave like this in others pubs. Very hypocritical for my liking. And all this coming from a football thug
I still do not go in his pub!
eeoodares
says...
8:42pm Thu 13 Sep 12
johnwill wrote:Spot on! Why do places need to be open until 4-5am?
Its not rocket science, limit the opening hours of all bars, clubs and pubs in York, closing time 11pm, clubs 2am and the message would soon get about that York isn't the place to visit for drinking weekends.' Chain' licensed businesses are only interested in taking as much money as possible from their drinkers and eject any trouble onto the streets for someone else to deal with, limited opening hours would make them think twice about opening in York. The theory behind long opening hours was to reduce binge drinking it doesn't work, it just means there are more hours of drinking time to drink even more.
welderboy
says...
8:59pm Thu 13 Sep 12
Yorkshire Soph
says...
9:48pm Thu 13 Sep 12
Pinkcrystal
says...
11:48pm Thu 13 Sep 12
Pinkcrystal
says...
12:00am Fri 14 Sep 12
eeoodares wrote:It his sense of humor very dry!! O wait you obviously don't know what one of those is
Rubber Lips wrote:I met him in Biltmore, he overheard me saying to a mate how I prefer Real Ale pubs. He butted in VERY aggressively saying 'why don't I come in his fxxxxing pub'. Thankfully, before I responded my friend said ignore him he is known for being a bit aggressive.
I have actually come across Shaun in a pub, not his own, drunk and swearing, it seems as though this is acceptable for him to behave like this in others pubs. Very hypocritical for my liking. And all this coming from a football thug
I still do not go in his pub!
jgycfc
says...
1:39am Fri 14 Sep 12
If it's a minion (bar staff) try be a bit more friendly eh?
If it's a minion (cleaner) try get round the gents a bit more than you currently do eh?
If it's a minion (chef) try get the chilli back to the good standard it once was eh?
If it's you Shaun, see above three points, and think about that in relation to the pay rise... Also try keep your prices held for a bit until they're back in line with the rest of the actual real-ale places, get an actual sense of humour, rather than this dry, also apparently known as aggressive, sense of humour; don't blame the chancellor as to why your prices are higher than anyone else's; and deal with stuff rather than jump on a blame bandwaggon.
That is all. :D
Carlton Palmer
says...
1:55pm Fri 14 Sep 12
Pinkcrystal
says...
5:19pm Fri 14 Sep 12
Theapplesarecoming
says...
7:49pm Fri 14 Sep 12
MrChuckles
says...
9:10pm Fri 14 Sep 12
Also I guess it's to be expected, the press isn't immune to usual media contamination and cut / paste tactics to change the tone of someones words and statements but it's great Dafydd Williams noticed this and put the record correct!
Theapplesarecoming
says...
9:29am Sat 15 Sep 12
bagnall1928@yahoo.com
says...
4:56pm Wed 26 Sep 12
Education in final year at school might help. show children videos of these morons and their behaviour.
let them be seen being sick and urinating it might put some of them off.
Landlords need to take action in coordination with each other. As long as one will serve people who have obviously had enough then there will always be trouble.
Something will have to happen ere long.
bagnall1928@yahoo.com
says...
5:10pm Wed 26 Sep 12
It was a lively street, but appart from a bit of singing as the people went home from the pubs, not a lot of trouble.
People like Charlie Greaves and his wife wouldnt have stood for it!!!! (Lion an Lamb)
The local policeman too managed to get drunks safely along their way home.
Its sad that a weekend outing is spoiled by these morons.
Schools could helpi by showing kids how pathetic these youths are on videos,
plus a few piles of vomit etc.
As long as drink is the normal means of entertainment in a town or city it will go on.
Let kids see the alternatives in their final school years.
sports, squash, badminton, soccer, rugby etc. publicise night schools with interesting subjects. Why not non alchoholic pubs where fancy soft drinks are sold so kids can socialise without getting drunk., they like the loud music too.
Get kids together in their last year or so at school and talk with them about their ideas.
goatman says...
9:27am Wed 12 Sep 12