Ponton pub loses its licence after trouble

A PUB owned by a colourful former politician has been stripped of its licence for a year.

The Sports Bar in Leith, which has now been put on the market by ex-Liberal Democrat councillor Tom Ponton, was handed the ban after a string of incidents including police facing "confrontation and hostility" when they were called to break up a lock-in last year.

This week councillors - some of whom are ex-colleagues of Mr Ponton - were told how licensing officials had a number of gripes with the bar.

Mr Ponton is one of three in his family who hold a licence for the Portland Place pub under the name Ponton, Ponton and Ponton.

Lothian and Borders Police said two officers had to call for a ten-strong back-up team to re-enter the premises after the lock-in incident.

When they attended for a routine visit in April they found a manager intoxicated, and were subjected to further "intimidation" from drinkers.

Police were again called in September to an alleged stabbing outside the bar, where witnesses reported several drinkers fighting on the streets with pool cues.

It was after this that the Ponton family said they would agree to voluntarily close the pub, police said.

The courts are already considering an appeal from Mr Ponton against a four-month licence suspension that was ordered this year, which if rejected, will mean a closure of 16 months for the bar.

Councillor Alastair Paisley, who sits on the licensing board, said: "It's unacceptable that police should visit and then have to call on ten other officers.

"This is a serious indictment."

The solicitor acting on behalf of the Pontons said: "The concerns were with the staff and management rather than the premises itself. They have been put up for sale and the staff effectively fired.

"Mr and Mrs Ponton are upstanding members of the community, have been in the trade a long time, and have been really let down by the staff."

Mr Ponton refused to comment, adding: "I don't speak to the Evening News."