A POLLING station is being moved from a city pub after reports of voter intimidation.

Electors in the Arboretum ward had reported feeling intimidated when voting in the Goodrest Tavern.

But landlord Craig Davis said the problem was with political party supporters outside the pub, harassing customers to vote a certain way.

“We’ve supported the area and the council for years and years, and now suddenly there’s a problem,” he said, “and the pub gets the blame as always.”

The polling station will be moved to a marquee on the car park of the Co-op next door.

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Cllr Hannah Cooper welcomed the move: “I’ve experienced people that are intoxicated, shouting and being very unpleasant - especially when I’ve been holding a dog and haven’t been able to retreat.

“Cllr Lewing and I have been stopped in the street by Muslim residents saying they don’t feel comfortable using the Goodrest Tavern because it’s a licensed venue, so I think this is a really good move and I hope it will increase voter turnout.”

Three other polling stations are being moved following a city-wide review.

In the Cathedral ward, the polling station on the car park next to the play area in Waverley Street is moving to Henry Sandon Hall at the Royal Porcelain Works.

In Fort Royal, the busy Horizon Community Centre polling station is moving to the 214 (Worcestershire) Battery Royal Artillery building in Pheasant Street.

And the polling station in Lincoln Green, off Chelmsford Drive in Nunnery ward, is moving to Ronkswood Hub. This is due to “episodes of vandalism”.

The review started in August, following city council elections in May and July’s general election.

Voters were asked for their views on current polling stations and invited to suggest alternatives.

Claire Chaplin, the council’s deputy returning officer, said known issues at certain polling stations were factored into the council’s thinking.

“It is a statutory requirement to carry out a review of polling arrangements across the city every five years,” she said in a meeting of the council's policy and resources committee on Tuesday (November 19).

“The last review took place in 2019 and the recommendations of this review will need to be completed by January 31, 2025.

“Importantly, local authorities must consider the accessibility requirements of potential polling stations.”

But she added: “We don’t wait five years to review our polling stations - we’re constantly taking feedback on board.”

Cllr Jabba Riaz welcomed the Fort Royal polling station being moved but raised concern over anti-social behaviour around St Martin’s Quarter in the evenings.

The change of polling stations will cost the council an additional £3,685 per city council election, in part due to the costs involved in putting up a marquee.