A Norwich practice's claim that trade has been damaged by patients being subjected to 'foul and abusive behaviour' from the customers of a nearby pub, has been refuted by the publican.
David Foskett, managing partner of Moss and Leakey Opticians, claimed on-street drinking in front of the Gardeners Arms was 'loud, lewd and too frequently aggressive' and was putting customers off coming into his practice on match days (News, May 30).
However, the pub's owner, Philip Cutter has hit back at the claim his business is responsible for the practice's drop in trade: 'A tables and chairs licence has been held for my premises since 1996, and all council and police criteria have been met to allow for this licence,' he said. 'It was with this knowledge, that Mr Foskett purchased his practice opposite the pub five years ago.'
Cutter claimed that Foskett was using his business as a scapegoat for the drop in the takings. 'There are 14 opticians in Norwich city centre alone, and given the current economic climate, the public may be choosing basic spectacles rather than high end,' he said. 'Both the police and local authority, along with seven other local supporting businesses, have no issue with the running of the pub,' he added.