Unfortunately, due to the mismanagement of the Fleece Hotel confirmed by Greater Manchester Police and Wigan Council, on behalf of the local community, in support of the efforts of the Licensing Authorities to bring the premises up to standard so that it has little or no detriment to our community and in support of the decisions made at our public meeting dated 23rd September 2015, I have now submitted an application to Wigan Council for them to review the premises license of the Fleece Hotel. The consultation period is now open. There is an official notice erected at the front of the pub and is also available at Ashton Library. At our public meeting dated 23rd September 2015 we unanimously made the following decisions :- Total opposition to the proposed nightclub. Total opposition to the 4.00 am premises license which is still in place. Time limit for any music 11.00 pm. Time limit for sale of alcohol 1.00 am. A full copy of the minutes are on another update on this petition. Over the past few months I became extremely concerned about the management of the premises. Myself and other residents witnessed drug dealing, consumption of drugs taking place on and around the premises. Gangs of youth's, many under the age of 18 were in and around the premises, sometimes congregating near St Thomas' Church. In view of the disturbances at Jubilee Park which are now resolved I became very concerned about this. The excessive noise perpetrated from the premises remained unacceptable and were even attempting live performances mid-week Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday disturbing local residents and despite the fact they are not licensed for these activities during the week. They had bands coming to the Fleece from elsewhere in the North West mid-week performing and the noise was deafening disturbing our community. The hygiene of the premises was so disgusting I will not describe to you what has been witnessed inside. However, outside the premises I hold photographic evidence of rubbish, empty beer bottles on Heath Rd which remained in place for 3 days completely disrespecting our community. Due to my concerns Wigan Council and GMP conducted an inspection. My concerns were substantiated and more. I received the following email from Sergeant Sharon Jackson, GMP :- “Good afternoon Mr Moulding As you are aware, a joint visit was made to the Fleece yesterday by one of my officers, PC Rigby, and Ian Whistlecroft. There will be no need for you to submit an FOI request, as I am more than willing to share with you the outcome of the meeting and details of the ongoing action. The DPS has been served with a written warning by the Local Authority Licensing team, the details of which I believe Ian will share with you separately. In addition to the warning, and from a police perspective, I will be formulating an action plan that will remain in force for the next three months. This will enforce the warning from the council, and also ensure that the DPS is clear about what he needs to do to make the drastic changes that are now required. I will share the details of the action plan with you once it is finalised, and would like to assure you that compliance with it will be regularly tested. If there is no improvement in the running of the venue, and as such the action plan is ignored, then I will seek to review the premises licence myself. I hope this goes some way to reassure you that we have taken your concerns seriously, and will do what we can to alleviate the problems currently being caused by the way in which this venue has been managed. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.” In view of the significant failings the owners were issued with a written warning and put under a 3 months action plan which included on the advise of GMP, which I fully supported, the immediate replacement of the Designated Premises Supervisor (Manager). GMP confirmed to me the manager had been replaced legally on the premises license. A meeting was held at the pub - myself, Wigan Council, GMP, owner and new manager. I sat next to the new manager vetted by GMP. Issues of concern were discussed, further meetings were arranged and I left the meeting. We were duped by the owner. The replacement of the manager is so far a paper exercise as the new manager is 100 miles away in Staffordshire and against the advice GMP the old manager is still in place. GMP have confirmed they found out by accident. The new owners of the pub are the associates from Stoke who were unhappy with our opposition to the proposed nightclub and I am in no doubt they have not given up on the project. I have thanked GMP and Wigan Council for their sterling work on our behalf. It is important we now do all we can to protect our community and support the efforts of GMP. Email Wigan Council at licensing@wigan.gov.uk or write to - The Trading Standards & Licensing Section, PO Box 100, Wigan, WN1 3DS Quote - Fleece Hotel, 9-11 Warrington Rd, Ashton. You can contact or copy me - mouldingmichael@gmail.com A copy of the notice is at the front of the pub and at Ashton library. Thank you Mike Moulding