Two Kirklees councillors were labelled ‘Nazis’ on Facebook after a row over customers drinking outside a pub.
Clr Nigel Patrick told a licensing panel yesterday that he and his colleague Donald Firth were subject to abuse following their objections to outdoors drinking at the Stumble Inn, Hinchliffe Mill.
The pub, formerly The Shepherds Rest, lost its licence and closed in 2010 following complaints about noise and anti-social behaviour.
But since then it has been extensively refurbished and its owners, Mood Developments of Leeds have applied twice to allow outdoor drinking to resume.
Last year the first application was rejected with the second being heard yesterday.
Landlord Alan Jarvis, who has been a landlord for 20 years, is anxious to offer his customers the option, particularly given the recent good weather.
But Clr Patrick, (Holme Valley South), told the three-man panel at Huddersfield Town Hall that the issue had led to a huge outpouring of ill-feeling from supporters of the plans.
He said: “Despite all the harassment and intimidation I find I am sat here today and I am still going to support outdoor drinking up to 7pm Sunday to Thursday and 9pm Friday and Saturday.
“Myself and Clr Firth were referred to as Nazis on Facebook. It should not have happened.”
John Wood, legal representative for Mood, immediately said: “I wish to make it perfectly clear on behalf of Mood Developments that they in no way condone what’s going on on Facebook.”
Clr Patrick said he had undertaken a survey of 54 residents who lived within 200m of the pub which is situated on Woodhead Road.
Of these 30 said they were happy with outdoor drinking, 12 were against and 12 didn’t want to say or did not take a view.
He said: “I hope there won’t be a repeat of what happened last time. I know one resident has gone away!
“I have come under attack this time. It’s never fun when you get intimidation or harassment.”
The hearing heard there had already been one breach of the regulations on July 19 when a report of outdoor drinking was made to Kirklees Council.
The panel heard that when Mr Jarvis was cautioned he told the council’s licensing officer: “It was the hottest night of the year. What do you expect me to do?”
After a two-hour meeting the panel decided to permit outdoor drinking Sunday to Thursday up until 7.30pm and to 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
