Noise nuisance fears over new pizza pub in Coventry

A licensing committee is set to rule on a new speciality pizza pub planned for the historic Earlsdon Cottage in Coventry.

Brewer Charles Wells Ltd is aiming to open one of its ‘Pizza, Pots and Pints’ pubs at the Warwick Street site, which was originally built in 1855.

The venue would specialise in artisan pizzas and comfort food, whilst also holding events such as music nights in the bar and quiz nights.

But its opening hours have raised objections from Environmental Protection, which fears people leaving late will cause noise disturbance.

The firm’s plans are to open until midnight on Friday and Saturday, and 11pm the rest of the week, with the main entrance on Warwick Street.

Environmental protection manager Neil Chaplin is against having a main entrance on a residential street, and has suggested using a side alley from Earlsdon Street instead.

He has also proposed a closing time of 11pm all week to help control concerns over noise from pub-goers leaving the premises.

But this has been rejected by Charles Wells which says the changes would make the business “unsustainable”.

The argument against

Ahead of a licensing meeting on Monday, May 20, Mr Chaplin said in a report: “My primary concern is with noise from customers as they exit, depart and disperse from the premises late at night, with Warwick Street being a narrow, fairly quiet and predominantly residential street with additional new residential developments underway.

“I am mindful this is a large premises with a large capacity and in addition the proposed live music events would also create a situation where large numbers of customers may leave together.

“In their application, and during lengthy discussions with the applicants they do not seem able to comprehend my concerns, and instead continually refer to the ethos of Charles Wells, but in reality have failed to provide any substantive measures on how they would control such noise.”

The argument for

In responses to Mr Chaplin, Debbie Sherman, from Charles Wells, said moving the main entrance “is very much blighting the ability to trade”, while closing at 11pm “does not make the business sustainable for us”.

She added: “We would again set out to you that we are a family brewer that has been in business since 1876, whose intention for the site is to create a community pub with a food offer and the style of venue will lend itself to welcome all members of a family.”

The site was formerly known as Earlsdon Cottage and then The Watchmakers pub – known for its live music- but led to a long-standing wrangle over noise.

It was then put on the market to be sold, and became Kiki Louge last year, but this unexpectedly closed within weeks of opening.

Environmental Protection manager Neil Chaplin admitted the site’s “chequered history” with noise has “caused headaches for many years”.

A decision on the licence will be made on Monday.

 

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