Council steps in after anti-social behaviour complaints about Wigan pub

Residents wrote online about problems since the reopening of the Boars Head and said there were also issues at nearby Gidlow Cemetery.
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Messages on social media criticised the arrangements at the Wigan Road venue during the first few days of outdoor table service, saying there had been long queues and disturbances as well as concerns about compliance with the rules.

Reports were also posted online that people had been seen urinating at the cemetery as well as there being problems with parked cars blocking the entrance.

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The Boars HeadThe Boars Head
The Boars Head
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Wigan Council said it had been speaking to the management team at the Boars Head and advice had been given which was being implemented.

Measures have been put in place to control the numbers of people entering and leaving the pub, the town hall said.

The local authority said steps have also been taken to tackle the parking problems at the cemetery.

And it is hoping to restrict access to the area at night to prevent anti-social behaviour.

Julie Middlehurst from Wigan CouncilJulie Middlehurst from Wigan Council
Julie Middlehurst from Wigan Council
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Despite these issues the council was also keen to stress that on the whole the reopening of hospitality businesses in the borough had gone smoothly.

Julie Middlehurst, service manager for regulatory services at Wigan Council said: “On the whole, the first weekend of eased restrictions was positive, with many venues following the rules to keep staff and customers safe.

“We are in contact with the management of the Boars Head and they are cooperating fully with us and taking on board the advice given.

“Since the weekend, the premises has put a number of further measures in place including the employment of security staff, who will monitor entry and exit.

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“The new circumstances we find ourselves in are a continuous learning curve and we will carry on working with and supporting our businesses. We will however take enforcement action where it is deemed absolutely necessary.

“With regards to anti-social behaviour at the cemetery, our colleagues in the street scene team have installed bollards and advice signage to prevent inappropriate parking. This will not prevent people from accessing the cemetery who are looking to pay their respects.

“From next week, it is also hoped that we can begin locking the cemetery gates at 8pm each evening, in line with our approach pre-pandemic, to prevent any anti-social behaviour at night.”

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed the force had been called to the Boars Head at around 9pm on Monday April 12 after receiving reports of an assault.

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It was reported that a fight had erupted and a 24 year old male had been assaulted but had been left with minor injuries that did not require medical attention, GMP said.

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