I’ll be forced to close my famous pub because ONE neighbor said ‘we’re a bit noisy’ – they want to destroy history

A pub owner says he may be forced to close his famous beer garden after a noise complaint from one neighbor who “wants to destroy history”.

Rising Sun, Berkhamsted, Hertzwas in business from the 1850s and is the “last Victorian pub” built to service the Grand Union Canal.

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But disgruntled landlord Mark Granger, 57, fears he may have to close pub after one resident moved in and complained about noise from regulars drinking at tables outside.

In June last year, a lonely neighbor lodged a formal complaint with the local council, which set the stage investigation.

Mark claims the council is now trying to get him to agree to a change in licensing conditions to ban pub-goers from drinking outside by the canal.

Instead, the pub owner says, the changes will only allow drinking inside or in “two small areas” outside.

He fears the legal costs of fighting any restrictions on his license and the loss of any trade could force him to close shop.

Regulars rallied behind him and raised £14,000 as a fighting fund.

Mark said: “This looks like an organized campaign to shut down my business.

“We are a very seasonal pub, I do most of my own money in summerwhen people come and enjoy a drink by the water and stand outside or sit outside and have fun.

“I take a lot of money in the summer, and this money helps me survive winter.

“Trying to limit my summer trade to this level is making the business unsustainable and the council should know that.”

The pub’s current license allows for the consumption of alcohol both indoors and outdoors.

Mark says there is no evidence he is breaking any noise regulations and his local council, Dacorum Borough Council, has confirmed it is not investigating.

He fears the only way to end this saga and ensure his customers can still drink outside is to appeal to the council court if he tries to change his license.

A crowdfunding page to help the pub cover the costs of both a solicitor and a barrister has already reached more than £14,000 from a £40,000 target. goal.

An email from the council’s licensing manager in August stated that there are “history complaints from the premises following door”.

One complaint concerned pub patrons making noise on the road opposite the pub.

Mark said: “They can’t take formal action because that requires evidence and they don’t have it.

“Many of the (neighbour’s) complaints are about what goes on outside my pub.

“The local street is about 10 meters from me, but it’s outside my license area. You can’t be responsible for people’s behavior when they leave your pub, otherwise where would it end?

“We would all walk our clients home individually.”

NOISY NEIGHBORS

A spokesman for Dacorum Town Council said: “We have a legal obligation to investigate every noise complaint we receive and must make all reasonable decisions. steps to do this

“We received three complaints about this premises between June 2023 and September 2024. “No formal enforcement action has been taken and we have provided advice and guidance to all parties.

“At this time we have no open investigations into this premises, however if further complaints are received they will be investigated as required law.

“We can also confirm that the council’s licensing team has been working with the license holder to streamline the terms of the license on the premises.

“The parking enforcement follows double yellow lines which have been in place for over a decade and exist to prevent obstruction and ensure safe access for emergency vehicles.

“Council officers have acted appropriately to find a solution to the issues and will continue to provide support and advice to the license holder and the parties involved.”

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