Re: Late licence application for the Cross Keys pub, Marlow.

Myself, my wife and our two children moved into Marlow nearly five years ago. We have always cared about the future of Marlow, local residents and our clientele. Any previous licensing issues have always been resolved with the authorities and I have been informed that we are in a good bill of health.

Over the last three months we have incurred an extremely hot summer which has led to possible noise pollution from customers leaving at 2.30am and loitering outside even though we have six door staff telling people to be quiet and move on.

Our sole reason for asking for a later licence is to tackle this issue which I am obligated to do as per my licensing conditions.

The main contributing factor to this issue is when we close at 2.30am. We are still very busy at this time which leads to a mass exodus of people who in good spirits will cause noise. By having a more flexible licence, customers can leave at different times. This will, in itself, cut down noise pollution. I believe it will target certain people causing a disruption which can then lead to them being barred. This later licence will only be used on busy nights to control any noise pollution.

Our music will also be turned down a minimum of 30 minutes before closing.

One point I believe to be very important is that 90 per cent of our customers live in Marlow and want to go out in their own town. We are a local community-led pub that sponsors three football teams, three pool teams, a darts team, a folk music society, a ukulele society, Rupe’s Jam Night and we cover all sporting events. We have live bands, karaoke and DJs playing a happy/commercial mix of music to suit all ages.

I would like this licence on a trial basis over six months. If the situation doesn’t change then I will revert to the old licence and I will be more than willing to talk about other measures of control. — Michael Kellas, Cross Keys, Marlow