An outdoor venue is set to have its licence reviewed after complaints that the premises causes a public nuisance.
Westmorland and Furness Council’s licensing sub-committee is set to review the licence of the Courtyard on Howgill Lane in Sedbergh on Tuesday after a local resident submitted a review application that claimed there had been regular noise nuisances which has disturbed the sleep of local residents.
The venue currently holds a licence to supply alcohol from noon to 9.30pm on Mondays to Thursdays, until 10pm on Friday and Saturday, and until 8.30pm on Sundays.
The Courtyard is behind the Dalesman Country Inn.
But Matthew Cook said in his application for the review: “This premises is creating a public nuisance. In warm weather, the premises is regularly playing loud amplified outdoor music.
“The music is clearly audible inside the neighbouring houses. The music often continues when the premises is closed or empty. Loud voices (often shouting to be heard over the music) are also a problem and can be heard within neighbouring properties.
“There have also been regular noise nuisances in relation to pressure washing, moving furniture, shouting, rolling barrels and the banging of pots and pans outside of sociable hours. The sleep of local residents has been disturbed as a result of this.”
However, the neighbouring Dalesman Country Inn, which leases out the area, has labelled the complaints fictitious and said it would not have won awards had customers’ experiences been disrupted by noise.
A response to the licensing application said: “The Dalesman is a two Rosette restaurant with four gold star rating both from the AA guide.
“This accolade does not come easily or without hard work and certain guidelines from within on how the AA expect us to operate. We have read the complaints in regard to the Courtyard’s licence and believe that they are fictitious.
“Our hotel rooms and restaurant would not have received their accolades had there been loud music blaring from outside or the moving of barrels and furniture at such times.
“Our restaurant does have music for background noise, and we allow this to happen outside also in the summer months, purely to create a pleasant atmosphere, this is also the case in the Courtyard.
“The Courtyard was leased out to Hannah Bromfield and she has been impeccable with how she has run her business and was commented on by the inspector who stayed with us both times for an unannounced inspection, saying that had she visited on a weekend she would have loved to have seen the courtyard operate fully as it gave a lovely feel and looked a great use of outdoor space.”
The council has received 10 responses in favour of a review of the premises licence and six responses supporting the licence holder.
Members of the licensing sub committee for Westmorland and Furness Council will decide on Tuesday at Kendal Town Hall whether to make any changes to the license, revoke the license or make no changes to the licence.
