A PUB in Henley branded “Glastonbury in Arden” has had radical changes made to its live music licence.
The Nag’s Head on High Street came before Stratford District Council’s Licensing Committee following a string of complaints from residents about the noise. One of the options on the table was to shut the pub down.
SDC’s Lead Environmental Protection Officer applied to review the pub’s licence in January, on the grounds the premises had been creating a public nuisance since it converted part of its car park into a beer garden and event space last summer.
A consultation period followed when evidence was collected and interested parties were contacted, including the premises licence holder MDS Warwick Ltd.
The officer stated in a report presented to the licensing panel that it was his belief the rear garden of the premises in High Street was “not suitable for regulated entertainment so close to domestic dwellings and is unsuitable for outdoor amplified entertainment and recorded music”.
He requested that the provisions of the Licence Music Act 2012 were disapplied, while the premises licence should also be reviewed on the basis of alleged breaches of public nuisance and crime and disorder.
Evidence in the form of sound recordings of noise levels outside the pub, still video images, moving video imagery, and further documentary evidence were presented to councillors.
Nine letters of complaint were received from residents who live in close proximity to the premises including one who referred to the pub’s outdoor entertainment as “Glastonbury in Arden”.
Philip Woolard said he was the tip of the iceberg and most residents didn’t feel brave enough to come forward.
He continued that he expected to see people going into the pub, eating, drinking and having a good time but the noise levels had become a major problem. He said he could not relax easily in his garden and when there was a late night event, he often needed the radio on, as well as secondary glazing, to drain out the sound.
There were 79 representations in favour of The Nag’s Head and supporting the way the premises carried out its business.
Premises manager Dilia Scott, who has been in charge of the Nag’s Head for eight years, addressed the panel.
She said she always went above and beyond for customers and locals.
Ms Scott added she “had taken the Nags Head from a horrible place” and she would like to work more with Environmental Protection and Licensing.
The Licensing Panel concluded they wanted to “strike a balance” and therefore decided that live or recorded music events should be limited to three a year. Other conditions to the licence included a noise limiter to be fitted to the musical amplification system.
The premises licence holder has a right to appeal the decision made by the Licensing Panel within 21 days.
