Standing down - May 2012
Former Liberal Democrat Councillor for Knaphill Learn more
by admin on 21 May, 2010
It is a great pity that despite having been fined the Crown public house appears to continue to be a significant nuisance to residents in Knaphill. I have been keen to avoid going too far in my public views on the Crown so as not to pre-prejudice any hearing that might take place regarding the Crown’s license as I am a member of the Woking Borough Council licensing committee. I am now, however, in a position where this is not possible as on Sunday 2nd May I was delivering leaflets along the High Street in Knaphill and passing the pub was amazed by the poor behaviour of a number of customers at the pub inside and beyond the pub’s boundary. I reported this behaviour to the police. Having done this I believe I am now not in a position to take part in any hearing regarding the Crown, which I do hope takes place as soon as possible. This was not the end of the matter. On my way back up the same road I noticed that the door to the pub was open and that music was being played so loudly that it was possible to hear it, loudly and clearly on the other side of the road. This was even more of a concern as it was very windy at the time, so the music must have been playing very loudly. I reported this to the Woking Borough Council environmental services team.
I have been involved in this issue for over a year. Initially I requested to the Council that the license of the Crown be reviewed, but was informed that initially the environmental services route needed to be explored, as it now has been, resulting in a fine. However, as this is now still a problem further action is needed.
I understand from the council that as a councillor I am not able to call in the license and that this can only be done by the police or a petition of local residents. However, in the mean time if a resident has any concerns they should call the Woking Borough Council main switchboard between 9 am and 5 pm on 01483 755855 to log any problems at the pub or out of hours on 01483 730 872. Residents who regularly report concerns will be given a password for the out of hours number to enable them to make reports quicker. This is very useful where the complaint is such that the council officer available on the 24 hours line wishes to visit the premises to witness the noise or other activity taking place.
Although I cannot call in the license I will continue to support residents and officers in the complaints being made and do all that I can to make sure that this process is as speedy as possible so that residents can once again get a good night sleep in a safe local community.
3 Comments
http://knaphillian.wordpress.com/2010/05/23/the-crown-public-house/
I have received a comment from the Knaphillian website posted as the link above.
I suggest that anyone concerned from either perspective about the Crown Public House reads his article. I would like to say that I am not intending to pick on the pub or the pub landlord. I am putting forward a view which has been formed through multiple complaints from multiple residents, discussions with Woking Borough Council Officers and incidents I have witnessed firsthand. I will be contacting the landlord to discuss the matter as suggested. I hope that any dialogue will result in the problem being solved and that the pub and its customers can return to existing in peace with its neighbours, proving an important service to the Knaphill community. If on the other hand the complaints and the cause of the complaints continue, I will still be calling for the council to take action to prevent residents suffering nuisance.
I do see that the smoking ban presents a problem to the landlords, but I do not agree with the devil and the deep blue sea argument as the landlord is responsible for the pub and ensuring it complies with legislation.
Regarding the comment about working on issues that are important to local residents, I feel this is such an issue, but I am also continuing to work on other issues that some may describe as higher priority. I am more than happy to discuss these, my telephone number is on this blog.
On Saturday 29th May I met Mr David O’Brien, the landlord of the Crown Public house, following the Knaphill Lib-dem Surgery in the High Street. We had a positive and productive conversation from which it was clear to me that Mr O’Brien is trying to reduce the impact of the pub on the surrounding community.
Mr O’Brien is applying for planning permission for a porch on the pub to keep noise inside when the current front door is opened. Mr O’Brien is also seeking to fit double glazing. Mr O’Brien informed me that the pub now has fewer bands and that he will turn music off when it gets late to avoid noise disturbing residents. He is planning to move speakers from the current location near the door to a position where less noise should come out of the pub when doors are opened by customers.
Mr O’Brien has also said that at any time people feel they being disturbed by the pub he is happy for them to complain directly to him in person or alternatively the phone number for the pub is 01483 489755.
I have offered to assist Mr O’Brien by helping him to obtain advice for his planning application to try to resolve any queries or issues with it before it is formally submitted.