Kirkheaton pub stages quiz night with no alcohol

May 29 2009 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

PUB licensees were forced to ban booze because of a red tape mix-up – but still made sure the cash flowed freely for a charity quiz night.

The Spangled Bull in Kirkheaton was told it would have to close after an oversight on the part of brewery company, Scottish and Newcastle, meant it was left without a valid premises licence.

News of the problem came the day before landlord and landlady, Colin and Hannah Coleman, were due to welcome 80 people for a quiz night for Christian Aid.

The couple were desperate to honour the arrangement so they asked Kirklees Council for a temporary licence.

And the council obliged – on the condition the pub only served soft drinks.

Mr Coleman said: “It was quite funny seeing all the regulars drinking pints of Coke, but everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.”

Kirkheaton Parish Church rector Richard Steel, who helped organise the night, added: “Goodness knows what we would have done if we hadn’t been able to hold it there that night.

“Two or three teams turned up that we didn’t know were coming.

“I wouldn’t say it was divine intervention, but who knows how God works?”

Rev Leslie Jane Noon, minister of Kirkheaton United Reform Church, said: “When we heard what happened we were a bit dismayed. But everyone took it in good spirit.

“It didn’t spoil the evening at all – there was a great atmosphere, and we will certainly remember the pub quiz where we couldn’t buy any alcohol!”

Mr and Mrs Coleman have been at the pub for about two years without any problems.

But they were told last week by brewery officials that there had been an administrative problem and the premises licence was not in place so they could not carry on trading.