As an ex-licensee, with 25 years' service, my sympathies are with Carol Griffiths, licensee of the Blue Mile pub at Littlemore, Oxford, in the race discrimination case with Christopher Joyce (Oxford Mail, October 3).

It used to be the case that a licensee had the discretion to refuse to serve any customer, without giving any reason.

Only by being able to do this was it possible to run an orderly house.

This case has made it almost impossible for any licensee to determine what sort of trade they want for their business.

It takes only a few customers to change the image of an establishment, and very quickly the regulars will leave, and the licensee's livelihood with it.

This court case has done the trade a big disservice.

A Lee, Wheatley, Oxford