Troubled pub stays open ...but opening hours cut (From Echo)

Troubled pub stays open ...but opening hours cut

6:00pm Tuesday 13th March 2012 in News By Gina Marden

New Mayflower pub in Billericay – its troubled history means it will now have to obey strict regulations if it is to continue operating

A PUB which neighbours claim has made their lives a living hell has had its opening hours cut.

Following the trouble, the New Mayflower pub in Jacksons Lane, Billericay, was told to take on a new manager and adhere to strict conditions including having its doors and windows constantly closed and if music is played too loudly, the electricity will be cut off.

The tough measures were put on the pub after police called for a review of its licence.

It came after officers were called to 35 incidents in just two months including violent brawls, underage boozing, suspected robberies, family punch-ups and a child being bitten by a dog.

At a licensing hearing, held at St John’s Church Centre in Outwood Common Road, Billericay, residents living near the pub said their lives had been made a living hell.

They said loud music, from DJs and live bands, playing until the early hours and drunken punters shouting and swearing in the outside smoking area regularly keeps them awake seven nights a week.

John Mason of Jacksons Mews, Billericay, who has lived at his home for 36 years, said: “It would just be nice to have a few peaceful nights.”

Steve Radford of David’s Walk, added: “There are people in the beer garden area every night using vulgar language, which I don’t want to listen to. I would like it to be a family pub.”

Barristers acting for the pub said the landlord Christopher John accepted evidence put forward by police.

He had since installed a new manager, Helen Draper. As well as agreeing to tough conditions the pub offered to pay for an independent sound expert to visit residents’ homes to test sounds levels following the installation of noise limiting equipment. If it exceeds the prescribed volume electricity in the pub shuts down.

But the decision of Basildon Council’s licensing committee to allow the pub to stay open with reduced hours was blasted by Billericay councillor Phil Turner.

Speaking after the meeting he said: “This pub has got off extremely lightly. This just shows a venue can have a litany of felonies carried out there and still keep its licence.”