A PUB manager has hit back at critics who have labelled the Boot and Shoe – a town centre trouble-spot.

Richard Parker, who took over the running of the pub in April, accepts that the venue does has an image problem but he is working hard to clean up its act.

The 47-year-old, who has 25-years experience in the hospitality trade, has been working closely with police and council licensing officers to tackle historic problems associated with the pub on Church Row in Darlington.

“When I took over, the pub it was on the verge of losing its licence,” he said. “We knew there would be a lot of work to do before we could transform its reputation but we are definitely making progress now.

“I accept some of the criticisms but we have retrained staff, barred troublesome customers and we are working hard to improve the pub’s reputation. However, some of the criticisms have absolutely nothing to do with the pub or our customers.

“We get blamed for the behaviour of the homeless people who sit outside the churchyard all day, but they have nothing at all to do with us. I’m working with the council and the police to try and resolve that particular issue.”

Mr Parker has spoken out following a letter was printed in The Northern Echo last month raising concerns about rowdy and drunken behaviour outside the town centre pub throughout the day.

The letter writer was making comparison between people drinking in the pub with people using the nearby leisure centre.

It is criticism that the pub’s general manager feels is unfair and unfounded.

“I accept that we play music throughout the day,” he said. “However, we are complying with the terms of our licence and the music is no louder than any other pub in the town.

“We are already dealing with any problems with people drinking outside – they are only allowed in the cordoned off area if the seating is out, if it isn’t out, nobody is allowed to take drinks outside.

“Any customer who has been misbehaving outside the pub has been barred but unfortunately there is nothing we can do about those people who hang around in the area that are not our customers.

“If I see a problem that doesn’t involve our customers I call the police.”