A BAR owner in Middlewich has spoken of her shock at being added to a list of people banned from pubs in the area.

Melanie Ollier, aged 32, who runs the Caf Bar M in Wheelock Street, found out yesterday, Tuesday, by an official letter that the Pubwatch Scheme committee has added her name to its list of people barred from pubs included in the scheme.

And as a member of the scheme, it means that she is technically barred from her own premises.

Speaking to the Guardian yesterday, Tuesday, Melanie said: "People were telling me about it and I only found out in a letter today and I was very shocked and very surprised."

Incident

Melanie, who runs the bar with her business partner Peter Darnell, believes that the ban has come about following an incident with her mother but feels that it was a private affair in her home above the bar and the resulting action by the committee is unfair.

Melanie says the incident was discussed at an initial meeting with the committee and she believed it was resolved.

She is disappointed that neither she nor Mr Darnell were invited to discuss it further before the ban was issued.

Melanie said: "It is the way they have dealt with it that I am most upset about."

Despite what has happened Melanie maintains that the Pubwatch scheme is a valuable one.

Melanie added: "We think the Pubwatch scheme is an excellent initiative and we will continue to support it."

The committee declined to comment.

jdriscoll@guardiangrp.co.uk