Pub hopes to open outside bar for Crystal Palace FC fans

By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter

A popular Thornton Heath pub wants to open a second bar to serve football fans when Crystal Palace play at Selhurst Park.

The Prince George in Thornton Heath has applied to Croydon council for a licence to have two bars outside on Crystal Palace home game days.

An application said there would be no other changes to the licence which allows it to open until 12.30am Sunday to Thursday and until 2am on Friday and Saturday nights.

The pub in the High Street is a 10 minute walk to Selhurst Park, the club’s home ground.

During the season, the team plays around two games a month at home and the pub’s social media welcomes home and away fans to the pub on match days.

The application said on match days there are five door staff to “look after public safety” and most staff are first aid trained.

It said: “I have door staff to monitor outside drinking. I am a qualified door supervisor and have a better understanding of managing events.

“We only serve in plastic glasses, no glass is given out on match days. I run my CCTV on the big screen so everyone knows the premises is monitored. We have an over 21 policy to enter the pub on match days, over 18 can drink at the outside bar. 

“As soon as fans leave, we bag up all the bottles that have been bought from the off licenses and is littering the pavement and could be used as weapons.” 

Public consultation on the licensing application closed in December and Croydon council is still considering the application.

Pictured top: The Prince George pub in Thornton Heath High Street (Picture: Google Street View)