SOUTH SHIELDS: Vandal attack a pane for pub bosses

Vandal attack a pane for pub bosses

Fed-up ... Paul Simpson.

A COUPLE'S move into South Tyneside's most famous pub has gone from bad to worse.

New managers Paul and Beverley Simpson have yet to pull a pint at the Marsden Grotto in South Shields after the pub was closed in August – just as they moved in.

Cliff steps used for access were found to be in need of repair, which meant the pub no longer had a suitable fire escape and had to be closed by fire chiefs.

Initially they thought the pub could open on October 12 after council bosses placed a sign at the top of the steps.

Mr and Mrs Simpson were then told there would be an additional 21 days before work was completed.

Now the steps – and the pub – could be closed for six months.

And the couple were in for more disruption after four youngsters smashed 14 of the pub's windows and broke into an outside storage area before starting a fire on the beach.

Mrs Simpson said: "It was quite distressing at the time. But we have to keep telling ourselves everything will be okay.

"We are just getting on with it a day at a time. We can't get down about it, we have to stay positive."

Of the possible six-month closure, Mr Simpson, 34, said: "I don't know what will happen any more.

"My regional manager said I could start doing relief work in the area if the problem keeps going on though.

"While the pub has been closed we've been able to get on with the launch of the website, and work has now started on the new shop we're going to have outside, so it hasn't been a total waste of time."

A council spokesman today insisted the application for a six-month closure was due to legal requirements, and work should be carried out well before that.

He added: "We have appointed a specialist contractor to draw up a scheme to both repair the steps and protect the public from potential rock-fall.

"Meanwhile, we have had to seek an order to keep the footpath closed until necessary repair and maintenance works have been carried out.

"The law specifies that this kind of order is valid for a maximum of six months, but we are confident that works will be completed before then.

"We will be in a much better position to say how long works will take when specialist engineers have completed their initial assessment in two weeks' time."

Police also issued a warning to vandals targeting the pub, saying they could be cut off from help.

Neighbourhood Inspector Peter Sutton said: "If these youngsters had been seriously hurt, it would have been difficult for the emergency services to reach them with the steps being out of use. Luckily noone was injured."

The youngsters, all teenagers, are currently on police bail.

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