The licence of an award winning pub has been reviewed after complaints from neighbours about noise from customers. The House Without A Name, Lea Gate, Bradshaw was the subject of the licensing panel hearing by Bolton Council.
The review was ordered on the grounds of ‘prevention of public nuisance’ from ‘noise nuisance from the outside drinking area’. The pub, which is within a row of cottages, is run by Jon Nolan and his wife Bethany.
It currently has an alcohol sale licence until 12.30am Sunday to Thursday and 1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays. A panel of councillors reviewed evidence, including the application for a review of the licence from Darren John Hall.
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It stated: “During the spring and summer months in particular and especially at weekends we experience high levels of noise from laughing, singing and shouting into the early hours. “We are not able to keep our windows open during warm evenings due to noise and and often are kept awake in our beds until the revellers leave.
“Our problems are compounded by the fact that the other local bars have restrictions on their beer gardens which prevent their use after 9.30pm or 10pm. This means drinkers migrate to the House Without A Name where they can drink unrestricted into the early hours.”
The application sought a restriction on using the outside drinking area after 9.30pm, a reduction in the number of tables and chairs at the front of the pub and the prevention of having a television or music in the outside area.
Mr Hall also provided a diary log of several alleged noise incidents with times and dates throughout the summer, autumn and early winter of 2021. Ian Edwards, from Bolton Council’s regulatory services also supported a restriction on use of the outside area after 9.30pm. There were letters in support of the review included one resident who said ‘the smell of cigarette smoke and cannabis infiltrates into our home’.
The letter also stated that the complainant’s four grandchildren, aged five to 12 had ‘to run into my house due to the smell of smoke and the language that these people use’. Letters which praised the pub and its management were presented in evidence which outnumbered those supporting the review.
One said: “I now live a few doors away. It is a well run, respectable establishment, with friendly and supportive owners.”I have no concerns about any noise levels.” Another, said: “We are proud to have ‘No Name’ as a neighbour and can safely say long may it continue just as it is.”
Licensee Jon Nolan, said: “My Wife Bethany and I have run the House Without A name for 10 years. I grew up opposite the pub.
“We have turned it around to become one of Bolton’s most reputable pubs. We have won the Campaign for Real Ale pub of the season three times and are in the Good Beer Guide.
“Whenever we have been contacted by neighbours we have acted swiftly to make sure their concerns are addressed. This has included moving speakers and limiting volume on our jukebox.
“We have allowed hedgerows to grow, installed signs inside and out to ask patrons to consider our neighbours and removed our dart board. “Our door is always open and many neighbours have my contact details to contact me directly.
“In 10 years of running the pub we have had very little trouble. In those 10 years, Mr Hall has not once approached me directly to voice his concerns.”
Bolton Council has not yet published its decision on the licence review.
