Pubs along Osborne Road have told JesmondLocal they are concerned about rising incidents of anti-social behaviour (ASB) and the theft of glasses from their premises.

Despite being a relatively safe area, the popular street, known for its concentration of bars and lively nightlife, has become a hotspot for disruptive events. In September 2024 alone, a total of 119 anti-social behaviour incidents were reported on and around Osborne Road.

Anthony Coetzee, manager of Spy Bar, told JesmondLocal: “I got dropped off pallets and pallets of pint glasses a few months ago. I went away for a week and now there are none. The breweries have stopped giving them to us because of how many we get through”.

Pubs are allocated a certain amount of glasses for a six-month period free of charge from the breweries they use. If all their pint glasses are smashed or go missing before this period, they have to find other ways of providing more.

Coetzee said, “When all the free glasses go, I have to spend precious money on unbranded glasses which are more expensive. At £22 for a box of 12, the expense adds up”.

Other types of anti-social behaviour are regularly seen on Osborne Road, such as loud noise, violent behaviour and drinking on the street; an offense that is punished with a £1,000 fine. 

Rebecca Dawson, assistant general manager at Bar Blanc, told JesmondLocal that anti-social behaviour is worst on student ‘sports initiation nights’. She said: “There have been many occasions where staff have collected pint glasses without realising they were full of vomit. We have to kick them straight out. This happens every single week.”

A spokesperson from Phoenix, who asked to stay anonymous, explained how it is not necessarily just students who cause problems. They said that there have been occasions, specifically on Fridays and Saturdays when there is football on, when locals have “verbally abused and threatened members of staff”. Often when people are asked to leave, they refuse. 

June Kingston, a recent guest at The Caledonian Hotel next to Phoenix, said “despite having a lovely experience at the hotel, it was difficult to ignore the noise and rowdy behaviour going on beneath me”.

The problem does not just affect pubs and their business, but guests’ experience too. 

Northumbria Police and Operation Oak continue to try and keep this behaviour under control. If you have any complaints, please contact the police on 101.