A VERDICT is due shortly on an application to renew the licence of the new Courthouse pub in Stanford-le-Hope.

After several breaches of a noise abatement order Thurrock Council's licensing team took action and called time on the pub's existing licence in November, a decision followed quickly by the pub's operators, the EI group, to remove the tenant and landlord and shutter the pub up.

Earlier this week EI group's application for a new licence, with conditions set by the council and police in consultation with the pub's neighbours was heard at a meeting of the council's licencing sub-committee.

At the meeting the recent history of the pub was outlined by licencing officer Elizabeth Cox who said that there had been 57 complaints about noise levels at the pub.

And further details were given by an environmental protection office, who had visited the premises several times, most notably on 30 March last year when he said intervention was required for what he said was: "Probably the easiest nuisance I have ever witnessed, we were getting complaints from as far away as Horndon on the Hill."

He added that he had dealt with the pub' designated premises officer, tenant and landlord Adam Lakey, on a number of occasions but: "Our advice was ignored and there have been three breaches of our notice."

The New Courthouse on King Street is owned and operated by the EI Group, formerly known as Enterprise Inns, which was acquired by the Stonegate Pub Company in March 2020. It granted the tenancy to Mr Lakey in early 2023.

A number of documents (to be found with the application via this link) were presented at the licencing hearing on Tuesday (14 January) including a statement from the council's environmental protection team saying it was 'concerned that when a new DPS starts their tenancy, the process of engaging with them will begin again.

'We do not have confidence that Stonegate Group will support the council in protecting residents from public nuisance'.

Essex Police were also represented at the meeting and its licencing officer for Thurrock, Sam Barner, said the force had concerns about operation of the pub, adding: "There have been a number of incidents over the venue. There has to be some consideration to the noise, particularly to the back garden area, which is of concern."

Solicitor Richard Taylor represented EI at the hearing and told the committee: "Following minimal engagement from Stonegate Group,

"We don't take issue with anything that has been said.

"EI is the company that owns the bricks and mortar, the tenancy is let to a tenant who operates the premises.

"It is dependent on the tenant operating the premises properly.

"If the defendant breaches the terms of the tenant EI has an immediate right to terminate the tenancy and that is what has happened here

"It is very clear here that it is the mismanagement of the premises by the former tenant that has led to the review.

"And it makes uncomfortable reading for us. We do not want to be here, effectively picking up the pieces and there are some failings at our end, and we accept that.

"It has not been good enough and there are ongoing investigations as far as that is concerned.  

"What I hope you saw is the speed with which EI acted once aware of these issues.

"EI ordered that the tenancy be terminated, that the tenant had nothing to do with the premises going forward, that we remove him, lest he tried to 'bat on'

The full meeting can be viewed here:-

"And further, got in touch with environmental health and said we will agree with conditions and is there anything we can do to expedite matters.

"That's our stance, I hope we get some credit for it.

"The pub has been closed since the 15th of November; nobody wants to see a closed pub but we need to make sure these premises are a benefit to the community rather than a burden on it going forwards.  

"We have agreed not to have music in the garden and removal of TVs in the garden."

Mr Taylor acknowledged the presence of the neighbours on three sides and concluded by adding: "Moving forward we will leave the pub closed until we find someone who can operate these premises without difficulty."

Committee chair Cllr Tony Fish asked how EI would make sure there were no issues in the future and Mr Tylor said: "We will ensure there is no nuisance by measures including the right tenant, we will keep very close to the situation."

Mr Barnes and the council environmental team welcomed the commitments by the EI Group.

In conclusion from the environment team's side, an officer said if the licence was granted the council would be working with neighbours to ensure that levels were operated at an acceptable level.

There has been no announcement yet of the committee's decision on the application, but it has to be communicated to the applicant within five days of the meeting.

Stonegate and EI have already advertised for a new tenant, while a petition was launched locally supporting its reopening.

In the paper put to the committee environment officers proposed that if a new licence were granted, the following would apply:-  

1. All functions with amplified sound to be held in the premises function room
2. All doors and windows in the function room will remain shut during events to prevent the escape of noise and amplified sound;
3. A noise limiting device should be installed in the function room. All events with amplified sound should be powered through the noise limiting device with cut out levels agreed with EP Officers.

Following deregulation of regulated entertainment, conditions relating to live music and recorded music remain on the licence but are suspended between 8am - 11pm when the following conditions are met:

• At the time of the music entertainment, the premises are open for the purposes of being used for the sale or supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises;
• If the music is amplified, it takes place before an audience of no more than 500 people; and
• The music takes place between 08:00 and 23:00.