Noise complaints against themed Highgate pub

A country-and-western themed pub in Highgate says it wants to be “part of the community” after neighbours raised noise complaints.

The Duke’s Head, in Highgate High Street, pledged to work with residents to address any noise issues as it seeks a licence to serve alcohol until 1am and close at 1.30am.

The pub’s previous premises licence lapsed after the former owner went out of business in January and new landlord Theodore Hudson did not apply to keep the licence. An application lodged by Theodore was considered by Haringey Council’s licensing subcommittee on Wednesday.

Several neighbours wrote to the council to oppose the pub’s licence bid, claiming it would lead to noise and antisocial behaviour. Some said they had been kept awake by noise from the venue, which has been allowed to operate under a series of temporary event notices.

Speaking during the meeting, Sarah Thorley, who lives in neighbouring Parkview Mansions complained of “an extraordinary amount of noise” from the pub.

She added: “It is not constant, but when it is loud it is really intrusive and upsetting, and if I am not feeling well and I don’t sleep very well, this noise really does not help my mental health. It is very, very stressful, and I have a stress-related illness.”

Noshaba Shah, a council licensing officer, said there had been five noise complaints “from the end of last year”, none of which had been investigated. But Sarah said she was “surprised” there were only five complaints on record, as she had complained to environmental health on “several occasions, past midnight”. Officers agreed to look into the matter.

Sarah explained that part of the reason she did not complain directly to the pub was that when she had complained about a delivery driver parking in her disabled bay, she ended up having “rather an unpleasant conversation with one of the gentlemen there” which was “quite intimidating”.

Robert Sutherland, a solicitor representing the owner, apologised that the pub had operated for a period “believing that we had a licence when we did not”.

He described The Duke’s Head as a “community pub”, adding: “We aim to be a part of the community, we want to be part of the community, and if the committee grants the licence, we will be part of the community and continue to operate in the way that we have.”

Several of the objectors had opposed “extending the hours” of the licence, but Robert pointed out that the closing and alcohol sales times were the same as the lapsed licence. He indicated the 1am closing time on the new licence application was a mistake, as the pub wants to close at 1.30am, and there was “no intention to mislead”.

Responding to the complaints, he said they could have been investigated and dealt with if they had been made to the pub. Robert added that the pub would look at its smoking policy and dispersal policy to avoid causing noise disturbance. A series of conditions on the licence, if it is granted, will include preventing smokers from taking their drinks outside after 11pm.

A number of residents wrote to the council to support the application. Speaking during the meeting, Dr Hugo Hagan, who runs Highgate Dental Practice, objected to some of the language used by opponents of the licence application, one of whom referred to The Duke’s Head as a “redneck themed bar”.

Dr Hagan said the pub was a “very well run, clean, professional institution”, which he thought could become a “very successful part of our high street”.

He added: “I think, personally, that we should give these guys a chance, and let them prove to us that they can run the establishment without disrupting the neighbourhood, but rather enhancing the neighbourhood.”

As the meeting drew to a close, Noshaba said the licensing authority would like the serving of alcohol to end at 12.30am and the pub to close at 1am.

The licensing subcommittee’s decision will be issued within five working days of the meeting.