Pub landlord defends hosting competitive eating contest during lockdown – claiming it’s an ‘elite sport’

A PUB landlord has defended hosting a competitive eating challenge in his boozer - insisting: "It's an elite sport."

Craig Harker was hit by a complaint after holding the lockdown event at The George Pub and Grill in Stockton.

It saw five 'athletes' taking on the world's hottest chillies and went ahead on Saturday as part of the British Eating League.

Last night, Mr Harker said the pub had complied with all Covid-19 rules as part of the lockdown.

He fumed: "We ran it because the British Eating League is an elite sport. It's the highest league in competitive eating.

"Food Sports TV live-streamed the event and recorded it. We followed all the Covid guidelines.

"The local council got in touch and questioned it being a sport. There's no doubt in my mind. It is a sport. There's a winner, a loser, prizes and a league.

'IT IS A SPORT'

"The venue was closed to the public and only the TV production crew and athletes were allowed on the premises."

He said the event had been watched by five million people online.

Government guidelines state that hospitality venues such as restaurants and pubs must close during the lockdown.

But they can open for a small number of exempt activities, including for elite sportsmen and women to train and compete.

Stockton council said it had not taken any action against the pub.

A spokesperson said: "A complaint was received by our licensing team regarding the supply of food on the premises, which is currently restricted by national lockdown arrangements.

"Officers made inquiries and quickly established that no licensable activity took place on the premises at this time, and so no further licensing action will be taken."

In June, Mr Harker posted a brutally honest job advertisement in the hope of hiring new employees.

In the advert, possible applicants were warned that they would be working for an a*******."

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