Weymouth pub Duke of Cornwall gains council support in noise complaint

As reported, live music venue the Duke of Cornwall is to have its licence reviewed after 'Respect Weymouth' submitted a complaint to the licensing authority, Dorset Council.

Dorset Council has served notice that a formal hearing is to be held to decide the fate of the pub.

But at a meeting on Tuesday evening Weymouth Town Council's Licensing committee took the view that the complaint should be rejected, and that an informal mediation should be held to resolve the issue. 

Town councillors agreed that the venue is an important part of the town's nighttime economy, and raised concerns about the fact Dorset Council had accepted Respect Weymouth's unsigned application, which follows a noise abatement notice served on the pub.

Town councillors said the pub is an asset to Weymouth's evening entertainment offering

Duke of Cornwall landlord Martin Freed - who runs the St Edmund Street premises with partner Tina - said he would welcome an opportunity to take part in mediation to prevent the need for a formal hearing, adding: "The fight to save the pub is far from over, but to have the support of the community - and now the town council - is hugely encouraging."

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Respect Weymouth claims the pub is causing 'public nuisance' and sleepless nights for a group of residents living in noise sensitive properties. The Echo asked a representative of Respect Weymouth to confirm how many properties but this was declined. 

Further requests for comment on whether they would be willing to take part in mediation were also declined.

In a statement read out at the meeting, Respect Weymouth said it is not trying to get the pub shut down or kill live music in the town, adding that "the group supports live music when it doesn’t cause a problem."

At the town council's Planning and Licensing committee meeting on Tuesday members were keen to see a truce, calling on Dorset Council to arrange mediation

A statement from a member of the public, Michael Weller, was also read out at the town council meeting, raising concerns that Respect Weymouth's complaint was "an attempt to mislead the committee."

"Weymouth is a famous entertainment centre and the Duke of Cornwall has been at the heart of that for many years," he said. "One small and anonymous pressure group must not be allowed to put an end to this historic culture.

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"I am strongly of the opinion that this matter should be settled by mediation rather than formal action - even though the opposing parties appear to have dug their heels in, it should be possible to bring them to a reasonable agreement."

Notices in the pub window, including the notice served on the premises by Dorset Council. The pub denies the allegations.

Weymouth councillor Graham Winter said he "thoroughly endorsed" what Mr Weller had written, with similar sentiments expressed by other committee members - including councillor Councillor Ann Weaving - who slammed the complaint as "a load of bumf."

Councillor Lucy Hamilton said: "There is clearly a problem, as a noise abatement notice was served on the premises by Dorset Council licensing - but I support (the mediation) approach and I'd welcome full investigation of the matter."

A motion of no objection was proposed by councillor Jan Bergman, with the committee a voting unanimously in favour. 

Weymouth Town Council is a consultee in the process, and the outcome of the vote will be submitted to Dorset Council as part of the licence review consultation process.

Dorset Council is the licensing authority with overall decision making powers in this case.