PAUL and Norma, owners of Perry’s Pub and Grill in Glen Marais, write:
This letter refers to the article which appeared in the October 29 edition of Kempton Express, titled “Popular Pomona club closed after police raid“, which lead to the closure of The Lodge.
As the owners of Perry’s Pub and Grill, one of the establishments raided on October 24, it’s quite amazing how one-sided distorted facts and publishing the name of other venues under the topic of “Popular Pomona Club closed after police raid” has negative connotations for the uninformed, or is this just because of sensationalism by parties involved?
By including Perry’s name in this article and later stipulating that Perry’s was also closed down, immediately lead to the perception being created that Perry’s has in fact also been closed down. To make matters worse, it also created the perception that we are connected to drugs and illegal activity. On what grounds? one can ask those responsible for the raid.
Fortunately for us and our loyal patrons, we all know this is not the case and despite the negative perceptions created and silly questions being asked, we are still here and continue to operate as normal.
Some facts not published or mentioned in the article, which we deem very negative, was the manner and unprofessional approach the members of the police and CPF displayed during this process, and this to customers and staff members of the pub. Judge, jury and executioner all at once type of approach.
Car guards were asked for papers because they are foreign and security staff being asked for papers while they are employed by Perry’s. Why was it necessary to do all that? Was it just to make life difficult for all, or to show force?
Perry’s, since its opening, opposes illegal activity and that is known by its clients. This was also proven during the raid where nothing illegal, in terms of any forms of contraband or any illegal activity or under aged patrons, were on the property.
Being fined for incorrect documentation and failing to display certain signage is what happened and as such already addressed through appropriate authorities and organisations.
As a local business, we support the efforts of our law enforcement agencies and the force multipliers like the CPF, and will continue to do so without fail, but in the same breath, we are part of the very same community they protect, and so are our clients.
That’s why we ask: was such treatment, outright harassment and approach, instead of a professional approach and well conducted operation, then not also within our rights?
To our customers involved on the evening, we apologise for your experience, to our continued loyal customers, and new customers since the incident, we thank you for the positive comments, tweets and other media responses in showing that we are a decent establishment and not worth being trashed by perception or inclusion on negative reporting.
