Noisy pub-goers and clubbers to be given lollies to pipe down (From Dorset Echo)

Noisy pub-goers and clubbers to be given lollies to pipe down

10:00am Friday 15th May 2009

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NOISY pub punters and clubbers in West Dorset will be given lollipops to keep them quiet on their way home.

Pubs and clubs around Dorchester and in other towns will be armed with a stash of sweets to hand out to customers leaving their premises.

The initiative comes from West Dorset District Council as part of Noise Action Week, a national campaign starting on Monday to promote practical solutions to noise problems.

The council’s environmental health team says that noise from people leaving clubs and pubs is a frequent source of complaints.

Environmental health team leader Graham Duggan said: “We would rather that revellers leaving pubs and clubs suck on a lollipop than make unnecessary noise which cause complaints.

“We hope people enjoy the treat and remember the message.”

Noise and nuisance officer Rebecca Brooksman added: “We have had a rise in complaints with people leaving some pubs and clubs and walking home making a bit of noise.

“We were trying to get a way of getting the message across to leave quietly and making it fun.”

The scheme is being supported by local Pubwatch teams in West Dorset, which meet regularly in Dorchester, Bridport, Sherborne, Lyme Regis and Beaminster to help create a safe environment for people to enjoy a night out.

Pubs offering the free sweets in Dorchester will include Pubwatch members such as the Royal Oak, the Victoria Hotel, the Sydney Arms, Bar Rouge and the Firestation nightclub.

Pub manager at the Royal Oak Michelle Wulff said: “We think it’s a great idea. We do encourage our customers to leave quietly anyway but when they are further down the road we have no control.

“If people have got something in their mouths they are not going to make a lot of noise.”

She added: “Other landlords I have spoken to think it’s a fantastic idea and we are all for promoting responsible drinking.”

Manager of the Firestation Ollie Parkinson added: “It’s always a problem for people who operate a late night business, trying to keep customers quiet as they leave and there is only so much we can actually do about it.

“Something like this has a serious point with quite a fun way of putting it across.

“I think it’s great that the council are trying to help everyone out with it and it certainly makes the point without shoving it into people’s faces.

“They may not want to take up the offer of a free lolly but it makes them think, if they haven’t already thought about it, that it’s time to quieten down as they go home.”

Posters urging people to leave quietly will also be delivered to the participating nightspots.

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