A Brighton pub has temporarily shut because it’s manager left at short notice, meaning there is nobody able to satisfy a licence condition that a premises manager is on site when alcohol is served.
The Ruby Pub and Hotel in Coldean is temporarily closed, with a sign on its door saying that it will reopen once the staffing situation is resolved.
Brighton and Hove News understands that the pub’s personal license holder left the Ruby’s employment, and the owner is interviewing candidates to fulfil a condition of their license.
Ruby Pub owner, Anant Suchak, said: “Bear with us. It’s very simple, a condition of our licence is that we need a personal licence holder to be on the premises when beer is served.
“We are not shut down as such – the hotel is still busy and will get busier.”
A sign on the door says: “Do not enter the premises unless you are authorised to enter – even with a key. No one is allowed other than the owner. Alarm is set.”
The pub also has hotel rooms available, and a sign on the door directs guests about who to contact regarding the hotel.
The Ruby Pub had a number of conditions added to their licence in July last year, including conditions to stop hosting 18th and 21st birthday parties, to have security on football match days, and to stop children being in the bar after 8pm.
The pub offers live music, a regular DJ and karaoke, and free community events.
One of the closest pubs, The Bevy in Bevendean, is also temporarily closed.
Such a disappointment to see the only local pub in our community to be shut.
There has been such a high turn over of staff within the last couple of years, citing the unfair treatment, lack of respect and paying bonuses rightly earned by the Management, being paid to them is the reasons we are told by ex managers why they are leaving.
If this didn’t happen and the owner of The Ruby paid their staff their monies due and learnt a bit more about customer service then the pub may not have had to close!!
Respect people mainly your staff and acknowledge customers.
I agree, when the turnover is that high, the root cause is obvious!
The hilkers rest…
I am local,but never been in here ,the place has no curb appeal
Invest in your staff, sponsor a licence course helps staff retention, pay decently and give them a decent work-life balance.
Unfortunately most owners are like this. Squeeze the life and soul of the staff counting on the fact that there’s always someone ready to replace them.
Customers need to boycott these toxic places
👍 Agree
What sort of person owns a pub yet is not personally licensed to serve beer, The license is easy enough to get. I have lived my life never asking some one to do a job of work for me that i cannot or will not do. Clearly there is a bigger issue than the loss of a manager.
The pub owner published on their Facebook page that the pub is open. It’s the burger joint attached to the pub (same owner) that is shut.
My parents ran the hikers for many years ,until the early 80s , they respected customers and staff , and as such had that returned ,,,,, that’s business ,,, what a waste of a fine establishment with history
My parents ran the hikers rest for a number of years until early 80s , respect the local people, and you have a business
It’s a very common situation in the pub trade.
Managers don’t tend to leave on a whim as they put the graft in, to become managers in the first place. It’s usually unrealistic budgets for staffing levels that causes management walkouts as they have to start doing the jobs their staff should be doing, that they don’t have.
The Ruby Pub reopened yesterday evening Thursdsy 22nd Feb!! Circulated on FB already