Richard Fuller MP allowed back in Biggleswade and Sandy pubs after ban is rescinded

A Pub watch ban which barred Richard Fuller MP from entering its members’ premises has now been rescinded.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Dec 2020, 11:11 BST
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On December 4, the Chronicle reported that Mr Fuller, Conservative MP for North East Bedfordshire, had been issued with the ban because he voted in favour of the updated system of tiered Covid-19 restrictions in England.

The members of Biggleswade, Sandy and Potton District Pubwatch issued the notice on December 3, because they were angered and upset to learn that Mr Fuller supported the regional system, a ruling they felt would damage the pub industry in Central Bedfordshire.

However, the ban was recently reversed.

Eamonn Watson of the Rose pub has started up a petition against the tier 2 rating, while Pubwatch say Richard Fuller MP (right) is not welcome in any of their members’ premises.Eamonn Watson of the Rose pub has started up a petition against the tier 2 rating, while Pubwatch say Richard Fuller MP (right) is not welcome in any of their members’ premises.
Eamonn Watson of the Rose pub has started up a petition against the tier 2 rating, while Pubwatch say Richard Fuller MP (right) is not welcome in any of their members’ premises.
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Mr Fuller said: “I am pleased that Pubwatch has overturned the ban and that the matter is now resolved.

“Pubs and many other hospitality businesses face continuing difficulties as a result of public health restrictions and I continue to make the case that the grouping of Bedfordshire with Luton and Milton Keynes should be reviewed, particularly if the disparity in recorded cases persists.”

At the time of the ban, Mr Fuller described it as “baffling” and said that he had raised concern - of rural Bedfordshire being grouped with Luton and Milton Keynes - with the health minister.

Explaining the ban’s overturn, Pubwatch member Eamonn Watson, who along with his partner Sarah Mulchrone is the co-owner and manager of The Rose, Biggleswade, said: “At the end of the day, Pub watch [a ban] is for anti-social/violent behaviour or drugs.This was done to build a case, as Richard wasn’t replying to our emails. It worked because we had a lot of traction from it.

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“There was another vote and it was resolved to lift the ban.”

The owners of The Rose have started a petition (which was not connected to Mr Fuller’s ban) to campaign for the SG18 area to be placed into tier 1 in order to save the livelihoods of local businesses.

It states: “Biggleswade should not fall under the same umbrella as large towns such as Luton and Bedford. Businesses and residents have worked hard to keep cases low and going into tier 2 is needlessly harmful.”

Petition - search ‘Put Biggleswade and villages back into Tier 1’ on website www.change.org

Related topics:BiggleswadeEamonn WatsonPubsLuton