Popular Hartlepool micropub to have licence reviewed after complaints about ‘loud music’

Hartlepool Borough Council’s licensing sub-committee will review the licence for The 9 Anchors, located on The Front,  after complaints of amplified music being played and causing a nuisance to residents.

Complaints have been raised by three residents to the noise, while members of the council environmental protection team have also visited the site and submitted comments.

Bosses behind The 9 Anchors stated the venue has been popular in the area and they hope to work with the council to resolve any issues.

An application for the review of the pub was first received from resident Michael Thompson, who lives nearby, and kept a record of music being played.

In the application, he said: “The 9 Anchors, is playing amplified audio/CD music through speakers.

“The pub has a live act event, which is held on a weekly basis, the noise is so loud, it can be heard in any part of my premises.

“The audio disturbance occurs on an almost frequent basis.”

Concerns were also raised the pub had been staying open past closing time, however statements from council officers showed staff said this was false, and they would be happy to provide CCTV.

The pub has a licence to sell alcohol between 10am and 10.40pm, with opening hours of 10am to 11pm seven days a week, although it has a license for longer hours on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Years Eve.

No application was made for the provision of live or recorded music as, since April 2015, all entertainment activities have been deregulated if they take place between 8am and 11pm.

However planning conditions for the pub state no live music, karaoke or other amplified speech shall be played/performed on the premises at any time, and the building should be adequately soundproofed.

A comment from Adrian Hurst, environmental health manager at the council, supported the review.

He said: “I wish to support the review on the grounds that the premises are not promoting the prevention of the public nuisance objective of the licensing act due to excessive loud music emanating from the premises affecting the amenity for the neighbouring residents and businesses.”

Paul Maull, area manager behind the group of pubs The 9 Anchors is part of, said the business has proved popular so far and wants to address any issues.

He said: “It’s been an absolute asset to Seaton Carew, and we hope to continue to be so.

“We hope by working with the guys at the council we can resolve the problem.

“We will do everything in our power to do everything the council requires.”

A decision will be made at the licensing sub-committee meeting at the Civic Centre on Tuesday from 10am.

The sub-committee could move to take no action, modify conditions to make music a licensed activity, exclude a licensable activity, suspend the licence, revoke the licence, or remove the designated premises supervisor.

Nic Marko , Local Democracy Reporting Service