Thousands support Black Bear pub over possible closure

A landlord of a 700-year-old pub has said he may be forced to close the site down if its licence is changed.

Tewkesbury Council is holding a licence review after noise complaints were made about The Black Bear, which reopened in July after a seven-year renovation.

Landlord Luke Haynes, 29 said cutting the pub's ability to the play live music would make it "commercially unviable".

The council said checks carried out found noise levels "unacceptable".

The Black Bear, on Tewkesbury High Street, dates back to 1308 and is thought to be the oldest pub in Gloucestershire.

Within a month of reopening the pub had noise complaints and on 19 October Tewkesbury Borough Council said a review of its licence is being sought on the grounds the pub is "undermining" its licence on public nuisance grounds.

Already a Change.Org petition supporting the pub has been signed by more than 2,500 people.

The petition says: "We urge those reviewing its licence to consider not just legal factors but also the broader impact on our community if this vital institution were forced to close down."

Supporters of the business say it has "rejuvenated" Tewkesbury and is a "fantastic pub".

Mr Haynes, who started renovating the site in 2017, said he was expecting a certain level of issue because reopening was a "big change".

He said: "When you have got a very busy, vibrant pub, that's 700 years old, you know occasionally there are going to be some noise complaints and it sort of comes with the territory of somewhere like this, especially after it's been shut for so long.

"It has been quiet here for so long and now we've reopened, and it's been busy - that is obviously a big change for people."

The pub's current licence allows it to play music outside for 365 days of the year but following the complaints, the council is suggesting reducing that to six days.

Mr Hayes said he does not want to play live music everyday, but having the option in the summer months was important for the Black Bear's trade.

"When we took ownership of the pub we drew out the plans based on what the licence allowed us to be able to do, and we tried to do it to secure the future of the pub," he said.

"Six days is the equivalent of two weekends for us and they [the council] also want a two-week notice which makes it really difficult to forecast and it makes it commercially unviable to be able to sustain that business.

"It feels extreme and unworkable," he added.

He also said "a lot of investment" had gone into bringing the pub "back to its former glory", and that he had contracted sound engineers to look at ways of reducing noise levels.

Tewkesbury Borough Council's lead member for clean and green environment, Councillor Sarah Hands, said complaints had been received about indoor and outdoor noise.

Ms Hands said: "Since the Black Bear reopened earlier this year, we have received complaints from residents living close by regarding noise levels from music both inside the premises and in the garden, and from patrons using the outside seating area.

"Our Environmental Health team carried out monitoring of the music sound levels and found them to be unacceptable.

"We provided the venue with support and advice on licensing conditions and the use of the garden, but unfortunately we have continued to receive complaints.

"By applying for a review of the premises' license, we are seeking to ensure the best outcome for residents and the operation of the business."

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