A Wetherspoons hailed as one of the ‘prettiest in the UK’ has previously been branded the ‘most dangerous’ because of scraps and thugs chucking glasses from its balcony.
Kent Live recently revealed which Wetherspoons were the most dangerous around the county. The Samuel Peto, in Folkestone, came joint first, sharing its crime crown with The Muggleton Inn, in Maidstone.
But The Sun reported that the watering hole– which dates back to 1873 – is among the most eye-catching in the UK and hailed its position ‘right by the beach with huge stained glass windows’.
However, in 2019, some punters were surprised to learn the Rendezvous Street pub had as many as 18 crimes recorded in one year.
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A former staff member who worked behind the bar said the figures were actually lower than expected. A Freedom of Information request revealed there were eight instances of theft, seven violent offences, two public order offences and one of criminal damage.
(Image: jdwetherspoon)
But the former staff member, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed exactly what goes on in the pub.
She recalled: “One particularly busy Saturday night, a rowdy group of lads were leaning over the top balcony and shouting towards the bar.
“We called last orders and the next thing I know a glass smashes on the floor next to my feet behind the bar.
“Thankfully it didn’t hit anyone, but it was so dangerous – that could have killed someone.”
She added that during her stint there the bar had a drug issue, like many bars in the UK. The bar worker said police had to be called when a person was found shooting up heroin in the bathroom.
(Image: jdwetherspoon)
The worker added that fights were common, and even recounted a girl biting a bouncer. She added: “There was a fight almost every Friday and Saturday night.
“The bouncers were always pretty good at breaking it up, but it’s a big pub so sometimes it would take them a while to get to it.
“I remember one particular fight an angry teenage girl biting a bouncer who was kicking her friend out.”
She added that it was regular for punters to poo in urinals.
The pub was forced to close for an evening in August this year after a shocked customer was almost hit by chunks of a crumbling cornice that fell from the ceiling.
Jason Moves had been enjoying a tipple before hearing a “hell of thud” as the debris landed on the bar floor.
No one was hurt and the Grade II-listed venue was closed by bosses as a precaution.
(Image: jdwetherspoon)
A Wetherspoons spokesperson said after the former worker’s claims: “Staff at The Samuel Peto ensure that customers at the pub can enjoy themselves in a safe environment and that is the same for staff working there.
“On occasion there have been incidents at the pub and these have been dealt with in a professional manner by staff. Our staff will continue to make customer and staff safety a priority and work with the police wherever appropriate.
“We will not comment on claims by a former staff member.”
The issues, of course, tend to be out of control of management and just a year after the former staffer’s claims, the pub was featured in the 2020 edition of the Good Beer Guide.
The guide complimented the windows and “hand-painted ceiling of fluffy clouds across a blue sky. Cosily inviting booths wrap around both floors.”
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