Revamped Lymington pub wins bid for entertainment licence

A REVAMPED pub has won its bid to have music every day despite strong objections from nearby residents who claimed it would become a late-night noisy drinking den.

Star Pubs and Bars Ltd, which owns The Sail Inn, in Queen Street, Lymington, had applied for the lifting of several conditions imposed in 2015 on the entertainment licence when it was The Fusion Inn, which restricted live music to twice a week and recorded music to every other Saturday.

The restrictions had been imposed by New Forest District Council’s licensing sub-committee in an effort to curb trouble at The Fusion which included late-night noise disturbance, anti-social and criminal behaviour.

Residents claimed that by lifting the conditions, late-night drinkers would be attracted to The Sail Inn – which reopened this week – and the past troubles would start again.

Hampshire police also opposed the application, citing the previous frequent problems at The Fusion when music played late at night.

But new landlord, Paul Smith, told the committee at a hearing earlier this month that he had “no interest in being the last pub open in the town” and wanted to be able to predominantly play background music which would not be loud.

Star Pubs and Bars had applied for music to be allowed from 10am to 11pm Sunday to Thursday and 10am to midnight Friday and 1.45am Saturday.

It also applied for a film licence allowing videos, sports games and films to be shown Sunday to Thursday 8am until 12.30am and Fridays and Saturdays from 8am until 2.30am.

There was no application to change the drinks licence which allows The Sail Inn to serve alcohol until 2am at weekends and midnight during the week.

The council's licensing committee deferred its decision but has now announced it will lift the entertainment licence restrictions. It said it had “carefully considered” the objections but noted that they “centred on historical issues primarily relating to alcohol misuse”.

The committee also recognised that the premises had been closed for nearly three years and would be opening under new management.

It accepted that Mr Smith had made it clear he did not want to open past 11pm during the week and midnight at weekends. He also stated that it was to be a “family friendly pub with the emphasis on good food”.

The committee remarked that under the deregulation of the Music Act, the pub would be able to play music from 8am until 11pm without a licence and that Mr Smith had offered to undertake measures of his own that would restrict any noise nuisance from it.

While agreeing to lift the conditions, the committee said it would impose some of its own. These included:

• Staff must carry out regular boundary checks when late night music is played to ensure noise is not above the permitted levels set by the environmental health department.
• Two security staff have to be employed on the doors of the pub on Friday and Saturday nights to curb any anti-social behaviour.
• A noise limiting device currently installed in the attic of a house that is connected by a party wall to the pub has to be retained and monitored to ensure levels are not exceeded
• No customers should be allowed to carry bottles, sealed, or open, outside the premises, or to enter with them. There must also be no drinking of alcoholic drinks allowed outside after 11pm and all windows and doors have to be kept closed after that time. No new customers can be allowed in after midnight.

The committee further ordered that a comprehensive CCTV system should be installed covering all exit and entry points. A staff member trained in CCTV use must also be on the premises at all times when it is open.

The pub has posted several photos of its refurbished interior and a copy of its menu on a Facebook page. Reaction has been positive, with many people saying they were glad to see the pub reopen.

One person posted: “Looks lovely we shall pop in.” Another wrote: “Already taken a look and it’s great. Can see this becoming my local.”