Last updated 20:47, Thursday, 17 July 2008

A Workington pub could be forced to close if it doesn’t buy high visibility clothing for its door staff.

Yankees Bar, which serves around 7,000 people a week, has not followed police advice to put its staff in high visibility clothing which, police say, helps to stop violence.

Sergeant Richard Farnworth, of Cumbria police, has now applied to Allerdale council for a review of Yankees’ licence.

If its licence is revoked, the Washington Street bar would be forced to close straightaway.

Sgt Farnworth said: “Licensees across West Cumbria are being asked to have their door supervisors wear high visibility clothing in an effort to prevent violent crime.

“This is now seen as best practice nationally and has already reduced violent crime.

“All the bars in Workington have brought in the uniform for but Yankees refused.

“Door supervisors at Yankees wear black polo shirts, similar to the bar staff.

“Dressed in black they do not provide any visible deterrent. The police have been making use of high visibility clothing for many years .”

The council’s licensing panel will meet in August to determine the fate of the bar. A pub spokesman declined to comment until after the hearing.

Allerdale’s licensing panel can:

• Revoke the licence

• Suspend the licence for up to three months

• Add conditions to the licence

• Remove the designated premises supervisor

• Exclude an activity, like dancing or live music from the licence,

• Decide no action is necessary

Most pubs and clubs around town have brought in the high visibility clothing voluntarily. The Curwen, on Bridge Street, is waiting for its high visibility clothing to be delivered.