The Woodpecker remains open for Lanimer Day

The declaration by The Woodpecker’s Gerry McGarrigle came after publication of last week’s Gazette report that a mass closure of the town’s pubs was being contemplated if the police get their way to have the long-standing one-day suspsension of the byelaw banning drinking in public places removed from this year’s celebrations onward.

The police have asked for this following what they described as a rise in “drink-fuelled” violence at last year’s Lanimers.

However, there are those in the Lanark licensed trade fearful of dangerous overcrowding in their pubs on the big day in June if drinking outside in the oparks and streets is banned.

One Lanark publican said he was trying to hold a meeting with his colleagues to gauge opinion for an unoprecedented Lanark day pub strike in protest.

However, he will not have The Woodpecker’s support said licensee Gerry.