Regular listeners to The Archers on Radio 4 will be well aware that you mess with the local pub at your peril.

In the long-running soap, The Bull has had its name changed to the B at Ambridge, causing much consternation and even a boycott by the locals.

Fans of the “everyday story of country folk” have even organised a petition for the new name to be replaced with the original.

Like I said, people don’t like their favourite boozer being interfered with. But what really keeps them away is not feeling safe or welcome.

That is why the national Pubwatch scheme is so important. It was established to create a safer environment for customers in licenced premises, by sharing information about incidents of anti-social behaviour, drug use, theft and violent crime and therefore reducing the possibility of it occurring elsewhere, or indeed, in your own venue.

In essence, the Pubwatch scheme links licensees with each other, the police and local authority.

Unfortunately, participation in the scheme has fallen below expected levels, which for an organisation such as mine, is a worry. That’s why the BID is helping Southend Pubwatch to facilitate a meeting on Thursday, February 27, inviting all the town’s licensees, managers and stake holders to explain the benefits of the scheme.

The session will also demonstrate how the Disc and Townlink systems work to identify and manage persistent offenders as they move from one location to another.

If you are a licensee or Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), I would urge you to get in touch with us beforehand, via hello@southendbid.com, so you can come along to next Thursday’s (27th) event, from 4pm. Greater participation in Southend’s Pubwatch scheme is not only vital for the town’s night-time economy and your own premises, but more so for the most important aspect of your business, your customers. I look forward to seeing you there.

For more information, go to www.southendbid.com

Suzanne Gloyne

(Southend BID Manager)