A PUB that turned Bromyard town centre into a “no go area” has escaped last orders.

Herefordshire Council has cut the Hop Pole’s trading hours following a four-mouth spell of violence and anti-social behaviour.

The worst cases included a 20-man brawl and a man who nearly bled to death after breaking a High Street window.

But the future looks brighter following a change of management - and their no-nonsense approach has won local backing.

Councillors heard on Tuesday (Aug 18) that previous landlord, Alan Jones, turned the former hotel into a nightclub and targeted young drinkers.

PC John Meek said police attended the pub twice in four months before Mr Jones took over in March, but made frequent visits thereafter. They included three assaults on consecutive weekends, and a mass brawl on June 20 still under investigation.

Sylvia Silver, Falcon Hotel owner, said the pub was attracting undesirables from outside Bromyard and affecting trade.

“My guests are woken up and kept awake by the shouting, and they complain bitterly and want a reduction in rates,” she said.

“It’s got to the point where a lot of people won’t come into Bromyard. It’s a no-go area at the weekend, particularly Saturdays.”

Owners, Scottish and Newcastle, replaced Mr Jones after West Mercia Police forced a premises review in July.

While the sub-licensing committee has cut their Friday and Saturday hours to 12.15pm, new landlords, Allan and Nikki Harland, have impressed.

Mr Harland, a former hotelier who worked for the Queen Mother, said he had been confronted by previous drinkers, but stressed the Hop Pole was changing.

“We want to return it to a good, friendly environment where families and good people can come to,” he said.