McGettigan’s, an Irish pub located on Fulham Broadway, recently had its premises licence reinstated after a series of incidents that led to a temporary suspension. One such incident involved a woman suffering a seizure after allegedly being hit with either a bottle or a phone while dancing at the pub on September 1. Initially, security at the pub downplayed the incident as a minor altercation, but it was later revealed that the woman had been struck on the head with a glass while dancing.
Further investigations by the Met Police uncovered additional unreported incidents, including a woman being groped by a man outside the pub in May. Shockingly, the man was allowed to re-enter the pub to buy the woman a drink. These incidents prompted PC Nicole Sondh to request a review of McGettigan’s premises licence by the Hammersmith and Fulham council, leading to an interim suspension on September 5.
At a recent licensing sub-committee meeting, the police initially requested a further two-week suspension to allow the pub to implement new conditions, such as installing high-definition CCTV and ensuring better record-keeping. They also called for the removal of the former Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS). While the former DPS had already been replaced and new candidates proposed, the pub’s barrister, Duncan Craig, argued against the additional suspension, as the pub cannot reopen until a new DPS is allocated.
Ultimately, the council agreed with Mr. Craig’s submission and lifted the suspension of the licence, imposing the agreed-upon conditions between McGettigan’s and the police, as well as the removal of the former DPS. However, a separate investigation by the council into whether the pub breached its licensing conditions on September 1 is still ongoing.
Moving forward, it is crucial for McGettigan’s to prioritize the safety of its patrons and ensure that all incidents are reported and addressed promptly. The implementation of new conditions, such as enhanced CCTV and improved record-keeping, will hopefully contribute to a safer and more secure environment for all visitors to the pub. The council will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure compliance with licensing regulations and the safety of the public.
