MANY residents are opposing later opening times at a once-notorious pub – although the current landlord insists he is a victim of its past.
Two years ago, a police dossier revealed drug-dealing, drunken fights, late-night noise and vandalism at the Village Inn – formerly the Caterham Arms – in Coulsdon Road, Caterham.
This prompted Tandridge District Council to impose stringent conditions on the pub, including closing at 11pm nightly instead of 1am, installing CCTV cameras, compiling incident logs and displaying "zero tolerance drug policy" signs.
Gerry Bohan took over the pub – since renamed the Caterham Arms – last summer, and has tried to transform the place.
In addition to a £120,000 makeover, he has removed the pool tables, introduced a mums and toddlers' club on some weekdays, and divided the pub into two bars. But his bid this month to keep it open until midnight has run into opposition.
Colin Jackson, who lives in Coulsdon Road, said: "I applaud what the landlord has done to the place but we can't go back to the bad old days again. The depth of feeling locally is very strong."
Another complainant, who asked not be named, said that although anti-social behaviour had greatly diminished, they did not want a renewed late-night extension in a residential area.
Mr Bohan told the Mirror: "The pub had a chequered past which I am trying to turn around. I'm a victim of what went on before.
"All I'm asking is for opposing residents to see the change here for themselves."
In support, Anita Hill, who lives in Banstead Road, Caterham, said: "The new landlord has spent a lot of money on the place and it looks really nice. I hope residents give him a chance."
And Caterham resident Matthew Baker said: "To say the pub is a different place is an understatement. I would grant the extended licence, and the slightest slip-up I'm sure the police will ask for it to be revoked."
A hearing of the council's licensing committee on Mondaywill decide whether the pub should get the midnight licence.
The meeting is at 2pm at the council's Oxted offices.
