Additional License Conditions Imposed For Patching Pub Guilty Of Noise Offences

The operators of The Fox Inn, Patching have been found guilty of four breaches of a noise abatement notice, served by Arun District Council.

The Council instigated the prosecution following the breaches, and a trial took place at Brighton Magistrates Court on 26 June 2024.

The prosecution was brought following extensive investigations by Environmental Health, which identified ongoing noise impact to residents being caused by the pub. These continued despite a noise abatement notice being issued in September 2022. A Review of the pub’s licence was also carried out in March 2023 due to ongoing noise concerns.

The pub appealed to the Magistrate’s Court following the Licensing sub committee’s review determination. That appeal was unsuccessful. The pub is now required to operate under additional licensing conditions aimed at reducing noise impacts. These include:

• no live or recorded music permitted in the marquee or outside areas until the premises submit an independent acoustic report
• noise management plan to be approved by Environmental Health
• limiting amplified music and voices in outdoor areas (including the marquee) to 10pm Monday to Saturday, and 9.30pm on Sunday’s and bank holidays.

The operators of the pub have been fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £2,160 towards the council’s legal costs, and a £400 victim surcharge

Chair of the Licensing Committee Cllr Blanchard-Cooper said:

“This successful prosecution follows significant investigations by our Environmental Health team, which should not have been necessary when simple steps could have been taken by the business to address noise concerns.

"Noise complaints were received within a matter of weeks of the operators taking over the business and their lack of response to the actions of the council is extremely disappointing.

"It is hoped the prosecution will result in positive behaviour change from the business and that it will not be necessary for the council to take further enforcement action.

“Pubs are a very important part of the communities of Arun, as well as contributing positively to the economy and creating important jobs. However, we expect licensed premises to operate within the law and not cause unreasonable impacts to residents.

"It was very disappointing that it was necessary to Review the licence of this business given that following an Abatement Notice the business did not take steps to address noise impacts, putting profits before their legal responsibilities and the rights of residents to use their properties without being unreasonably impacted by noise.

"Prosecution is the very last resort for the council and this action is not taken lightly, however we will not hesitate to use the full extent of our legal powers to deal with persistent offenders.”