4:17pm Wednesday 1st September 2010
By Lawrence Dunhill
THE survival of three pubs in Wooburn Green is being threatened by neighbours' complaints about noise and live music, say landlords.
The Queen and Albert pub on The Green recently received a 'noise abatement notice' from Wycombe District Council, after “raised voices, shouting and screaming” were reported by residents.
Landlord Carl Quarterman has also had complaints from neighbours about his live band nights on Friday and Saturday nights.
He said: “Since the complaints came in I've cancelled bands to show some goodwill, but it means I've only had something on once a week recently.
“Last week the takings were down enormously. I'm trying to be fair but this is threatening us as a business.
“This pub was absolutely dead for two years, so I started putting on live music and karaoke and the people came. It's the only way the pub will survive.”
Nearby on The Green, The Red Cow pub has received complaints about noise and the landlord confirmed they prompted him to cancel two music nights in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, The Red Lion, opposite The Queen & Albert, also said residents' complaints were having a negative impact on trade.
Mr Quarterman is licensed to serve drinks and play music until 1am on Friday and Saturday nights, but said he shuts the garden at 11.30pm and turns the music off at midnight.
Council warnings and neighbours complaints must be taken seriously by pubs, otherwise the licence could be affected, he said.
One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “From a wider perspective, I cannot see that granting late licences or live music licences to pubs in this conservation area is desirable, sensible or sustainable.
“However, I also sympathise with the pub owners and landlords who struggle to make a living these days and have no choice but to market themselves with promotions and events to bring in the customers.
“Carl has also been proactive by calling a meeting to discuss matters with myself and other neighbours. We are very grateful for his initiative and feel it is a positive step.”
Wycombe District Council said the noise abatement notice “acts as a formal reminder of their need to have due consideration for their neighbours when it comes to noise levels”.
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