TWO pubs who had their licences suspended will now have new rules to operate by.

Both The Ship in West Street, Erith, and the Blue Anchor in Bridgen Road, Bexley, had their alcohol licences suspended for 28 days by Bexley Council’s licensing sub-committee, at an emergency hearing on June 14.

Police applied for the suspension at the Blue Anchor after a fight broke out during the World Cup, and a police raid at The Ship indicated the pub was being used for the taking and dealing of cocaine.

The Blue Anchor reopened after a successful appeal, but The Ship remained closed.

Both their licences were then subjected to a full review by the council.

The owners of The Ship, John and Caroline Panetta have already taken a variety of steps to discourage drug taking in the pub, especially in the toilets.

These include eliminating smooth surfaces which can be used to cut drugs and raising toilet cisterns and sealing the lids to prevent drugs from being hidden.

In addition there will be a new CCTV system, training for staff, regular toilet checks and a new drugs policy.

At the Blue Anchor, the owners Orchid Group have replaced both the area and pub managers.

The pub is to be revamped with an emphasis on food instead of sport.

It has offered regular meetings with neighbouring residents and agreed a new CCTV system and a limit of 100 people.

Licensing officer PC Eddy Boston said he hoped The Ship would now become a drugs free pub where families could be assured they were in a safe environment, while the Blue Anchor would become a benefit rather than a nuisance to local people.