Noise order stops music festivals at pub

A pub landlord has warned staff could be laid off and his business may have to shut after he was hit with a noise order from the council.

The King’s Head in Llandudno has regularly held music events for the last 16 years during the day in its beer garden, which landlord, Stephen Reese says are “imperative” to the venue’s survival.

But following a number of complaints Conwy Council has now issued a Noise Abatement Notice which means he must limit, reduce or stop the level of noise from the venue and therefore halt music events.

Mr Reese said: “The bigger picture is the money goes around the town. The taxi companies put on extra cabs and they can spend more money in town. I have to hire local door men and keep local staff on throughout the summer season to make sure I have the staff needed to work these events.
“I do think the pub might not survive, these things keep us going through the winter. This pubs needs this and it’s a shame a few people can spoil it for the thousands who enjoy these events.
“Staff will be laid off. These events used to be the cream on top of our year and now they are imperative to our survival.”

Mr Reese who has run the pub since 2001 said complaints made directly to him had been rare and claims he had done all he could to accommodate local residents if they had any issues.

He added: “I have only had a few issues, where people have called up to ask when the music would end and that was it.
“One of the neighbours also said they found it loud so I went down to see what we could do and they were happy with that.

“It’s a very sad moment. We have been going 16 years with these and we have never had any trouble.”

The pub was due to host one of its regular Soul in the Sun events on Sunday but it received an order from Conwy Council on the Saturday saying noise from the venue needed to reduced, meaning the events can no longer continue, according to Mr Reese.

A spokeswoman for the council said: “All complaints of alleged statutory noise nuisance are looked into.  In this case, following complaints made to us, we received log sheets from complainants and recordings, and officers carried out an observation visit to determine that there was a statutory noise nuisance. We issued a Noise Abatement Notice on 14 August.
“A Noise Abatement Notice requires that steps are taken to limit, reduce or stop the levels of noise so that it is no longer a statutory nuisance.”
The pub also hosts a the Headstock event three times a year, which raises money for local charities, including St David’s Hospice.

As a result of the order a petition has been set up calling on the council to reconsider the move, which so far more than 1,300 people have signed.

By Shane Brennan – Local Democracy Reporter