A police officer was struck with a bottle as football fans clashed while a hotel owner stood outside in the street with a megaphone in chaotic scenes outside an Anfield hotel.
Behaviour outside Epstein’s Guest House on Anfield Road earlier this year was likened to something out of sitcom Phoenix Nights as Liverpool Council’s licensing and gambling sub-committee heard evidence regarding a change to the terms of which the premises can sell alcohol.
The hotel, which has eight rooms, is owned by Patrick Duggan and has featured on Channel 4’s Four in a Bed and The Hotel Inspector on Channel 5. Widespread concerns regarding the management of the premises and its impact on the wider community were made to the committee by Merseyside Police and the council’s own environmental department.
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Committee chair Cllr Christine Banks also expressed her shock at reports of disorder breaking out between football fans. Despite this, Mr Duggan’s application to further expand the area of his property whereby he can sell alcohol was approved.
Currently, the guest house is able to play music, open to guests and to sell alcohol until midnight daily and had sought to add an area to the front to its licence, as well as a marquee, garden room and patio at the rear. Karl Barry, licensing agent on behalf of Mr Duggan, told the committee the application had been made in good faith.
A series of issues were outlined by Merseyside Police who had objected in writing to the plans. Sgt Craig Carmichael said police had sought to work with Mr Duggan and a previous business partner who had been involved with the hotel.
He said up until “the last couple of years” the property had not been of concern to the force. However, on visits to the property people were seen drinking outside the front of the hotel - which was not permitted under its existing licence - and Mr Duggan was also outside using a megaphone to try and get people to come inside.
It was said Mr Duggan’s then business partner had claimed he thought the front of the premises fell under the terms of the licence. On requesting the viewing of CCTV footage, Sgt Carmichael said Mr Duggan had been “obstructive” before relenting.
On February 13, Liverpool and Everton met in the Premier League. On that occasion police once again visited Epstein’s and two bars outside the front were in use according to Sgt Carmichael - in breach of its licensing conditions.
During the evening, Everton fans were being escorted past the venue when abuse was shouted. The police officer said Liverpool fans at the hotel responded and had to be pushed back by those on the scene.
Sgt Carmichael said drinks were thrown “from both sides” before flares and smoke bombs were launched by Everton fans. He said a plain clothes police officer was also hit with a glass bottle.
Mr Duggan was praised for his role in containing the violence but Sgt Carmichael said this was the role for a licenced security guard, which the hotel did not have at the time. While the property was not to blame for the disorder between fans, Sgt Carmichael said it had been a “spark point” and would not have occurred if people had not been drinking outside the venue, in breach of its existing licence.
A witness attending the committee alongside Mr Duggan told councillors: “We knew there was going to be trouble. Fireworks were thrown in.”
The police officer told the committee Mr Duggan had said he was “disappointed” licensing teams had visited his premises on derby day when he was “busy.” Sgt Carmichael added he felt at best Mr Duggan was trying to “circumvent a loophole” and “at worst, totally disregarding” the rules.
He said Merseyside Police had concerns about the running of the premises and requested use of the front of the property for sales of alcohol be refused entirely.
Committee chair, Cllr Christine Banks, likened the circumstances to scenes from the Peter Kay sitcom Phoenix Nights and said of reports of Mr Duggan using a megaphone in the street: “In the 15 years I’ve been doing this, I’ve never seen anything like this.” Concerns about the application were also raised by the city council’s environmental health team.
Paul Farrell, operations manager, said it was “very rare” they would make a representation regarding a premises licence which he said underlined the “full seriousness of the application.” Mr Farrell said he felt the marquee at the back of the premises was “not suitable” and it was “absolutely the case” it would cause a public nuisance.
Mr Farrell added: “We have told the applicant this, he has not come back.” On the use of the megaphone, Mr Farrell echoed the remarks made by Cllr Banks, adding: “We deal with 4,000 complaints a year and I’ve not seen anything like this in 17 years.”
Case officer Tom Morris told the committee he had attended the property and said he had witnessed Mr Duggan using the microphone outside. He said the applicant had used foul language and been “goading” people to come into the bar on a matchday.
Mr Morris said despite it not being permitted, he had seen large speakers outside the front of the building playing music and alcohol being sold. He described Mr Duggan as being “confrontational and aggressive” when officers attended the scene and would not allow him to view CCTV footage.
The case officer said he felt there was “absolutely no doubt” that properties around the hotel would be “seriously impacted” by the variation of the licence and “even a small event could have a massive impact.” Licensing agent Mr Barry conceded “the wheels had fallen off” in the last few years but previous to that Mr Duggan and his business had been a considerate neighbour.
Neighbours who live around the hotel told councillors they had seen alleged drug use and public urination, adding: “It was a really quiet area, it’s now just mayhem.” Mr Duggan refuted this suggestion.
Mr Barry said in making the variation the applicant had made “concession after concession” including not using the front of the premises for consumption of alcohol during “sensitive fixtures” including any European matches involving Liverpool FC, home games against Everton or involving Glasgow Rangers.
In granting the variation, Cllr Banks - who clashed with Mr Duggan at the end of the near three hour session and accused him of not showing respect to neighbours - said only plastic cups must be used when patrons are drinking outside and external areas must be cleared by 9pm daily.
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