Castle Point Pub Watch
Pub watch was initially set up in Canvey Island on 3rd November 2009 for all of the Public Houses and clubs in Canvey, due to its success the Benfleet pub watch was launched on 16th November 2010. On the 21st June 2011 the two schemes merged to form a Castle Point Pub Watch, they now have 33 members who meet every 3 – 4 months. They are all members of the BOBB scheme (behave or be banned) which can lead to anyone behaving badly in a premises being banned for up to a year from all premises in the Castle Point pub watch.
The members have recently set up a web site www.pubwatch.org to promote the pub watch for local residents and their members to advertise their premises and events. As well as being linked to the Castle Point Borough Council web site it is also linked to Essex Police and Community Safety Partnerships web sites.
They have also set up a public email address public@pubwatch.org to enable residents to leave comments or complaints. This will give the chance for premises to liaise with the residents and discuss any issues before the Licensing Police or Council Licensing department get involved.
The Canvey Island Pub watch held as part of the Drinkwise week a free under 14’s disco in a night club scenario to show young people you could have a good time without alcohol. Each member donated a raffle prize and the proceeds were donated to the charity Canvey Youth Project. They received a very positive feedback from the parents and children. The pub watch also received an award from the Drinkwise and Castle Point Community Safety Partnerships in recognition for their good work and support of Drinkwise in 2010.
The members as part of the Drinkwise week 2011,organised two under 14’s discos one in Canvey and one in Benfleet.proceeds from theses discos went to 2 local charities the Indie Rose Trust and Little Havens.
They have sourced and secured sponsors to support the watch and have received funding for mobile phones for each premises, this enables communication between all of the pubs, clubs, Police and Licensing officers.
