Pub denied licence over noisy customers

A frustrated licensee is hoping to mobilise support from his locals to get his pub's licence back after it was refused due to noisy smokers.

Sean Martin, of the Old Brewery, in Torquay, is considering an appeal against Torbay Council's decision not to grant him a new licence.

The pub has now been closed for over two months, but has been using Temporary Event Notices to open occasionally.

The pub's licence lapsed in May after the licensee's previous company The Old Brewery (Torquay) Ltd, was dissolved.

However, due to a "clerical error" the licence was never transferred to his current company UK Pub Projects Ltd, which leases the site from a private landlord.

It emerged in September that the licence had not been transferred.

But at a council licensing sub-committee hearing last week, the pub was refused a new premises licence based on a "concern and alarm" at the extent of noise.

"I am gutted," said Sean. "I'm only aware of the one complaint. I have finally got the pub turned around and it's a popular community venue in the middle of a housing estate.

During the licensing hearing a video was played to councillors of customers singing on the smokers' patio.

"We are looking at the option of appealing and hopefully get some people to submit some positive statements about the pub."

A number of locals have already pledged their support for the pub via a local newspaper website.