New fence erected at Knot’s Bar in Farndon Marina to stop anti-social behaviour affecting business

Years of anti-social behaviour have left a business with no choice but to erect a fence to protect its customers.

A fence has been installed around the outdoor space of Knot’s Bar at Farndon Marina, separating the marina from a public footpath along the River Trent.

Zoe Harrison has been running the business with her partner, Richard Machin, for 12 years, but said the latest action had been taken as a last resort after an “unbearable” increase in levels of anti-social behaviour.

“We’ve had a consistent barrage of abuse and destruction over the past two or three years from groups of youths,” said Zoe.

“This year and last, they were jumping off the bridge and the back of our vessel, causing damage to the marina and us.

“We came back one morning to find our utility box had been broken into — they’d up-tipped paint all over the boat and damaged benches which then couldn’t be used.

“It rips you apart because everything you work hard for, to create a nice environment for people and these kids are just destroying it.

“They’ve been abusive and threatening to our customers, our staff, it’s been torture.”

Farndon regularly attracts groups of young people during the summer holidays as a popular place to cool off and swim.

But in the past year Zoe says these youngsters, aged between 10 and 16, have become more abusive.

She said: “You can’t approach or say anything to them without them making threats.

“There is such a mob mentality now, it’s quite intimidating. We’ve had police out on numerous occasions but they don’t respect what the officers are saying to them.

“It’s not just us. They jump onto people’s boats and have threatened the staff at the pub down the road that they would set fire to the building.

“People don’t see the terror and abuse they cause, it really has got out of control. It’s soul destroying.”

The anti-social behaviour is also having a financial impact on the bar and restaurant, with Zoe saying footfall had dropped considerably since the problems started.

“It’s been so destructive to the business, it’s demoralising,“ she said.

“This should be our time to be shining, with people outside enjoying the summer, but they don’t want to sit out there anymore.

“It’s been hard enough trying to get people back through the doors after covid and then being faced with this is like another nail in the coffin.

“This used to be my favourite place to be, but this last year I’ve just not wanted to be here. I’ve been on the verge of having a breakdown, it's been that unbearable.

“We dread the sun now because we don’t know who’s going to turn up or what’s going to happen.”

Zoe wanted to reassure Farndon residents and customers that may have concerns over the fence that the business will still be there for them, but just that visitors will have to come through the main entrance of the marina instead.

“We’ve tried all sorts of things, we’ve tried engaging, we’ve tried deterrents,” said Zoe.

“Originally we did not like the idea of having a fence and this is the last thing we wanted to do, but we had to draw the line somewhere.

“It’s sad and we don’t want to put anyone off, but we had to do something when they started retaliating towards customers.

“We can’t have people being accosted while they’re sitting outside socialising and enjoying a meal with their children.

“We had to reassess what was important and customer safety is absolutely imperative.”

Based within a converted passenger boat in Farndon Marina, Knot’s Bar and Restaurant is open from Wednesday to Sunday.

They host regular music and quiz nights, and serve a range of seasonal foods as well as a popular Sunday roast.

Zoe and Richard wanted to thank the public for their continued support through a difficult period and said they would not be deterred.