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21
May 2022
Harrogate pubs say Pubwatch troublemaker app makes town centre 'safer'
Members of Harrogate Pubwatch have said an app to keep bars informed on troublemakers is helping to keep the town centre safer.
Harrogate Pubwatch has approximately 40 bars and pubs registered. Together they can ban a person from all venues who's behaviour is deemed inappropriate or dangerous for a set period.
Last month, the group imposed a lifetime ban on someone found carrying a knife in Mojo. It has recently added three more people to the banned list, two for violence and one for drug use.
The group also uses an app, sponsored by Harrogate BID, which gives details on all those banned but also provides live information on anyone causing trouble to give other bars the opportunity to refuse them entry before getting inside.
Simon Colgan, a member and owner of the Empress on the Stray and Blues Bar, praised the app. He said:
Harrogate Pubwatch operates under the National Pubwatch guidelines and has set ban lengths for different offences. For example, drug dealing would mean someone is banned for 18 months and sexual harassment such as groping is nine months.
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Hannah Ingram, supervisor at Hales Bar, agreed bars working together is hugely positive:
Gabrielle Marcinkeviciute, general manager at North Bar, said:
Harrogate BID initially sponsored the app for one year but after positive response from businesses and an increase in membership it has extended it for a further 12 months.
Harrogate Pubwatch Secretary Alan Huddart said:
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