Noise problems after smoke ban continue

Licensees have flooded The Publican with more stories of the problems facing them over noise complaints from neighbours.

Following last week's story of licensee Dawn O'Brien who was fined £3,000 after a neighbour complained, publicans have come forward with more troubled tales.

Gerry Bell, licensee at the Moorgate Arms, in Blackburn, is facing five charges of breaching a noise abatement notice, issued under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Bell, who has a smoking shelter at the back of his pub, claims only one person has complained about the noise from his smoking customers. He says he will be forced to close down if he is fined because the business would be unworkable. "It's a ludicrous situation and I will not be able to afford to carry on because nobody will be able to go outside," he said. "The government should have looked into this before introducing the ban."

At the Tintagel Arms Hotel in Tintagel, Cornwall, licensee Chris Oakes is spending around £25,000 on acoustic soundproofing and a new air conditioning system to appease just one neighbour. Oakes received a warning letter from North Cornwall Council, but adds that it had been "brilliant" in helping him address the issue. "We had to cancel an annual live music event last year just because of this complaint, which seems a shame," he said.

Another publican who faced similar problems has also worked with his council to reach a solution.

Ricky McMillan, licensee at the Blackhorse in Barnet, Hertfordshire, received a letter from his local council after neighbours complained. But McMillan agreed a series of measures to counteract the problems, including putting customer notices up and banning drinks from outside after 11.30pm. "It's a big problem, but I would encourage people to work with their councils," he said.

Local authority co-ordinating body LACORS said the key to dealing with noise problems was good communication, both with local residents and with planning, licensing, environmental protection and smoke-free officers.