A FURIOUS manager of an Evesham snooker club has hit out at police for distributing a flyer which he claims ‘blames’ the venue for anti-social behaviour outside the venue..
Michael Patterson, manager of the Ambassador Snooker Club, spoke to the Observer after Evesham’s Safer Neighbourhood Team sent out the flyer in response to complaints from nearby residents about some of the behaviour seen on Avon Street.
But Mr Patterson claimed the leaflet suggested the bad behaviour ’emanated’ from the club, leaving it with an ‘unfair’ reputation.
“We get blamed for everything that goes on outside. I think it’s a bit unfair really,” he said.
Mr Patterson argued residents forget about the thousands of pounds the club raises for charity every year.
Fund-raisers for local causes such as Olivia’s Dream and for the two children who were recently trapped under a wall in Bretforton have recently been held.
Four disabled groups from Evesham use the venue free-of-charge every week, while the club also holds three parties for the groups every year out of their own pockets.
Mr Patterson’s claims were echoed by Irene Heath who has lived opposite the club since 2002 and said she believed local residents failed to realise the community spirit which existed in the club
“All the money that I raise through the meat raffle and treasure chest all goes to charity,” she told the Observer.
“It doesn’t go anywhere near our pockets, it all goes to help people.
The Ambassador has always had a bad name and a bad reputation, but in all honesty it does not deserve the reputation it has got,” she added.
“I do think it is very unfair for the amount of work that goes on in this place,” she added.
In response, Evesham Safer Neighbourhood Team said the flyer was sent out in response to ‘numerous’ complaints of anti-social behaviour on Avon Street.
PC Paul Buffery said: “We just sent the leaflet out to say that we’ve received complaints and to make sure we get a wider response from local residents.
“The leaflet wasn’t reflecting the Ambassador in a bad light at all,” he added.
