GAVIN and Amanda Mackrell, landlords of The Hop Poles pub in Mount Pleasant Road, won their appeal against having to have five doormen on duty every Thursday night.

Mr Mackrell described the effect of the licensing condition, requiring five doormen when there would only be around 30 customers, as "crippling".

Mr Mackrell told East Hampshire District Councils licensing sub-committee: "We have been forced to shut on Thursday night for the last six weeks as we would have to take £1,400 behind the bar to cover doormen wages."

Failure not to meet the condition carries a £20,000 fine.

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.