Couple to quit over single noise complaint

By James Wilmore

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Complaint Public house Pleading

A licensee couple who rely heavily on income from gigs are planning to quit their pub after a council clampdown - based on just one complaint from a...

A licensee couple who rely heavily on income from gigs are planning to quit their pub after a council clampdown - based on just one complaint from a neighbour.

Marie Richards and Pete Walters of the Wheel Inn, Pennington in Hampshire, were hit with a noise abatement notice by New Forest District Council last month.

The case offers further evidence of the hardline approach that councils are taking against pubs that host live music.

The pub cancelled a full band that was booked, after the abatement order was issued, and replaced them with an acoustic duo.

However, the noise was again reported to the council - who sent a letter to the pub about the complaint.

It said: "The notice required that the nuisance cease with immediate effect from the date of service and so it would be advisable that no further nuisance is caused."

But Richards said they had carried out there own soundchecks and it was impossible anything could be heard in neighbouring properties.

"I fully believe this complainant is malicious and there appears to be nothing we can do to prevent action from the council on no more than hearsay," she said.

"We've built this pub up from scratch over the last 18 months, but now we have no alternative but to try and sell."

But a New Forest District Council spokesman denied it was hounding the pub.

"We have monitored the pub and still feel there is a noise intrusion, but we have no desire to stop their live music," he said.

Meanwhile in a similar case in Worcestershire, a pub is facing a further threat after a resident complained about noise from smokers.

The New Inn, in Shrawley, had also been hit with a noise abatement order, but have since had a complaint about noise from their smoking shelter.

Licensee Tania Jones said: "Residents have too much power now."

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