The Daily Telegraph yesterday reported that the 48 most violent pubs had ‘been fined for 70 breaches of their strict licensing conditions’.

While conceding the Commercial had received fines in recent times, Mr Armstrong declared they came about as a result of naivety and not through any breach of their licensing conditions.

“We have worked hard to change the pub’s image,” Mr Armstrong said.

“We were third on that list and last time they released one we were at 79, so it shows how much work we have done.

“None of the pubs want to get fined. Sure we have been fined but the things have been pretty petty.”

Notorious for the number of assaults on and near the premises, the Commercial was named alongside the likes of PJ Gallaghers, the Coogee Bay Hotel and Scruffy Murphy’s on the October 2008 list.

“We have good security now and if anyone looks like causing trouble they are not allowed in,” Mr Armstrong said.

“It costs us a bit in revenue by not allowing some people in but we will develop a better reputation and hopefully that brings people back to the hotel.

“We had Derby Day on Saturday and there wasn’t a single problem at the pub, which was a fantastic result.”

ben.walker@ruralpress. com