Prettiest Wetherspoons in the UK was once Britain’s most ‘dangerous’ pub with violent bar brawls & glass smashing rows

A WETHERSPOONS in a picturesque seaside town was once one of Britain’s “most dangerous” pubs.

The Samuel Peto in Folkestone, Kent has previously been a hotspot for scraps and bar brawls – with customers even chucking glasses at staff.

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In 2019, it was revealed that the watering hole had seen as many as 18 crimes in one year.

These included theft, violent offences, public order offences and criminal damage.

Now, a former employee has spoken out about her experiences.

The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the Daily Star: “One particularly busy Saturday night, a rowdy group of lads were leaning over the top balcony and shouting towards the bar.

“We called last orders and the next thing I know a glass smashes on the floor next to my feet behind the bar.

“Thankfully it didn’t hit anyone, but it was so dangerous – that could have killed someone.”

She also claimed there were serious issues with drugs at the pub, with cops once being called to someone shooting up heroin in the bathroom.

And, she recalled an incident where a teenage girl bit a bouncer.

She said: “There was a fight almost every Friday and Saturday night.

“The bouncers were always pretty good at breaking it up, but it’s a big pub so sometimes it would take them a while to get to it.

“I remember one particular fight an angry teenage girl biting a bouncer who was kicking her friend out.”

It was also common for customers to defecate in the urinals, the woman claimed.

Despite its fancy, Grade II-listed premises, the crime-ridden pub has also had structural issues.

In August this year, it was forced to temporarily close after a chunk of the ceiling fell off while customers were inside.

Boozers described hearing a “hell of a thud” but luckily no one was injured.

A Wetherspoons spokesperson said: “Staff at the Samuel Peto ensure that customers at the pub can enjoy themselves in a safe environment and that is the same for staff working there.

“On occasion there have been incidents at the pub and these have been dealt with in a professional manner by staff. Our staff will continue to make customer and staff safety a priority and work with the police wherever appropriate.

“We will not comment on claims by a former staff member.”

The Sun previously named the Samuel Peto the “prettiest Wetherspoons in the UK”.

The pub is in a former church and adorned with painted cloud ceilings, ornate chandeliers, wooden balustrades, stained glass windows, and even the church’s original organ.

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