Bridge Street bar 'has moved on troublemakers' after adopting councillors' 18-point security review

A Northampton bar that has been beset by troublemakers has been forced to adopt measures to protect vulnerable customers after a behind-closed-doors licence review.
Balloon BarBalloon Bar
Balloon Bar

Balloon Bar has, among other measures, been told by councillors to have a safe area (as campaigned for by the Chron) and a direct line to a taxi firm to ferry away vulnerable people.

An ID scanner, search policy, drug policy and drug safe have also been laid down as conditions of Balloon Bar retaining its licence.

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The Guildhall hearing last month - minutes of which have only just been released in a restricted format - was held in private, a measure usually put in place when ongoing criminal investigations are to be mentioned.

The owner of Balloon Bar, John Shelton, said the methods had been successful in resolving a troublesome group.

He said: "Another bar had conditions imposed and a group of troublemakers therefore moved to Balloon Bar.

"These conditions have moved them on again. Hopefully they'll keep on moving right out of town."

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