Make Some Noise: Licensee fears for pub's future due to yearly complaints
Cheryl Hickman, of the Bull Inn, in Barton Mills, Bury St Edmunds, said she is anxious the local council will eventually “clamp down” on her venue, due to one neighbour who has complained about noise from December events almost every year since she took on the premises eight years ago.
She said one year he even wrote a letter to the council in February, to complain in advance about next Christmas’s events. She added the same resident petitioned to save the pub in 2000 when there were plans for it to be converted into housing.
“It drives us insane,” she said. “Every year we are very anxious this will be the year the council will clamp down on us.
“We’ve even had complaints about music from a village a mile away that wasn’t anything to do with us. We informed the council but they still sent us a letter so it’s on our file.
"I totally agree that if we built a new pub we should be responsible for ensuring it did not disturb local people. But we have a 500 year old coaching inn, so it’s nigh on impossible to resolve it now.”
A spokesman from Forest Heath District Council: “Both the police and Environmental Health can object to a TEN if they feel the licensing act objectives would be undermined.
“No complaints were received during Christmas 2013.”
Join campaign to change the law
The Make Some Noise campaign aims to unite the industry to fight for a fair hearing for pubs in disputes over noise complaints.
We believe residents moving near a pub with a history of hosting live music should show due respect and ensure their home is soundproofed.
If you have a story to tell email ellie.bothwell@wrbm.com or call her on 01293 610305.
To join in the debate, tweet us with the hashtag #pubsnoise or post a message on our facebook page.
