A RESTAURANT and bar slammed for its past advertising campaigns has its licence on the line. 

Cleveland Police and officers at Stockton Council have asked councillors to review The George Pub and Grill, on Stockton High Street, and its ability to sell booze. 

The eatery has faced condemnation from MPs over a past social media post saying “would you punch your ex in the face for a steak”. 

And a list of past cases, including “derogatory posts” on Facebook, will be put before members of the statutory licensing sub committee on Monday (October 21). 

Cleveland Police has objected to the bar having a licence on the grounds it “undermines crime and disorder objectives, public safety and the protection of children from harm”

The licensing team at the council has also opposed the move. 

Police concern

Owner Craig Harker is the premises licence holder the designated supervisor at the pub – holding the pass to sell alcohol at the restaurant. 

Sgt Paul Higgins, from Cleveland’s licensing unit, shared misgivings about the pub in a letter for the committee.

His report noted the premises did not suffer from crime and disorder – but the way it marketed itself “gave the police concern” .

Sgt Higgins pointed to a hot chilli chicken wing competition in 2016 where two men had to go to hospital. 

And he also raised concern about a Facebook competition hosted by the George in July – where one of the prizes was a “cheeky Rampant Rabbit Dildo”. 

Sgt Higgins added: “The Facebook site is public and accessible to all ages of user with a Facebook site – which is anyone aged 13 or over.

“There has clearly been no regard to the licensing objective of the protection of children from harm in the making of that competition.”

Sgt Higgins also raised worries about the Facebook site being used to “pour scorn and abuse” on public employees – pointing to one case where a council officer was called a “tosser” and a “d***head” next to his photo.

He also raised another case where an abusive post about himself was liked by the pub’s social media page. 

Department objections

Meanwhile, a separate council report revealed how the authority licensing team had been contacted by members of the public “independently expressing concerns and disgust” at the Facebook post about “punching your ex”. 

It also tells how the licensing team leader, Leanne Maloney-Kelly, visited the pub in August alongside police.

The report adds: “Unfortunately, responses given by Mr Harker during this second visit clearly suggests a serious failure to understand and consider the wider social impact of his management of the premises – including the use of social media in trivialising and condoning domestic violence as a promotional tool.

“Such behaviour undermines the prevention of crime and disorder agenda.”

The letter added that the licensing department was “extremely concerned” that children could freely access the pub’s Facebook page. 

The owner responds 

It’s not the first time the pub has been in hot water with the authorities. 

It was previously rapped by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in 2017 for asking on Facebook: “Would you punch your ex in the face for a parmo?”

And The George was slammed by obesity campaigners in the same year when it offered up free food to anybody weighing over 25 stone – as long as they publicly weighed themselves.

Ahead of the meeting, Mr Harker refuted that his post on Facebook promoted domestic violence – saying the post had been viewed by more than four million people and only a tiny fraction had complained.

Mr Harker added: “We’ve done social media well for years – the way it works for us is if our views are up, are takings are up.

“There were just four or five complaints but 4m people saw the post – it’s ridiculous.”

When it came to the crime and disorder objection, Mr Harker said the George was one of the safest businesses in town.

“Especially for Stockton High Street,” he added.

“It’s a family friendly atmosphere and we do not have drunks in here – we probably have the most expensive pint on the High Street.

“Families do not want people drinking around them when they’re having a nice meal.”

‘Hands up’

Mr Harker added the George Facebook page “liked all posts” to boost engagement on the site – and he claimed Sgt Higgins should not be involved in the hearing as it had “become personal for him”. 

However, he “held his hands up” when it came to him insulting the council officer who came to visit the bar in 2018. 

Mr Harker added: “I apologise for that – my emotions got the better of me on that one. 

“I totally hold my hands up, I should not have done it.”

He added: “Moving forward, I do not believe my post promoted domestic violence and I will follow ASA (Advertising Standards Agency) guidelines in future.”

The hearing will take place at 10am on Monday (October 21).