A TROUBLED couple’s hopes of running a bar in Teignmouth were dashed amid fears the pair would not be able to cope.

Richard Tickell and Amanda Slater wanted a premises license to run Biggles Bar – formerly the Roundel Club – in Station Road.

But their venture was thrown out by Teignbridge Council’s licensing team last Friday because they felt the duo wouldn’t be able to meet their ‘objectives.’

The three-member panel were worried Mr Tickell and Ms Slater would fail to protect children from harm or prevent crime and disorder, public safety and the prevention of public nuisance if they had a license.

Police licensing officer Mike Norsworthy, who objected to their pair getting a licence, told the hearing that Ms Slater had an ‘unhealthy relationship with alcohol.’

He explained that ‘considerable pressure’ had been put on emergency services because they’d had to deal with a string of booze-related incidents involved Ms Slater.

Mr Norsworthy revealed Ms Slater was ‘highly intoxicated and drinking wine from a half pint glass’ during a lunch-time meeting with him.

Police had to deal with seven incidents involving Ms Slater and alcohol during a five month period.

Emergency episodes included Ms Slater going missing, assaults on Mr Tickell and a dog as well as threatening to jump off the seaside resort’s pier.

Mr Norsworthy told the hearing: ‘In all of the incidents excessive amounts of alcohol seems to be a factor.

‘Ms Slater clearly has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol consumption and believes that this has been impacted by the stress of trying to run a business.’

Mr Tickell, who worked for Flybe at Exeter Airport for nearly 30 years, reckoned his partner’s behaviour had stemmed from him making her work 17-hours a day, seven days a week.

He explained: ‘It was down to me over-working Amanda which caused the problems. I have resigned from Flybe so will be there seven days a week to relieve the pressure.

‘A lot of people have break downs in their lives, but it will not happen again because the pressure won’t be there.

‘She is not like that. It is not how she is as a person.’

Mr Tickell bought the Royal Air Force Association-run Roundel Club’s lease in April 2018.

Officers at Teignbridge Council told Mr Tickell that he could carry on operating under the Roundel’s license as long as he kept to the club’s original rules.

But apparently he failed to stick to the rules and the club’s license was revoked – meaning Mr Tickell had to apply for a new one.

Mr Norsworthy told Mr Tickell at Friday’s hearing: ‘You were running it and not sticking to the rules. There are a lot of rules you were not complying with.

‘You said that you were – but you weren’t.’

Cllrs Ted Hockin, John Nutley and Peter Bromell refused Mr Tickell’s application for a new premises license.