leahortez86: Noise row between Travelodge and Old Brown Jug is settled

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Noise row between Travelodge and Old Brown Jug is settled

LIVE music will continue at a popular pub after a deal was reached over a noise dispute.

The Old Brown Jug 's future as a venue for live bands had been in doubt after hotel chain Travelodge asked for the Newcastle pub's licence to be reviewed last September.

Travelodge said that music from the venue had been keeping up guests at its hotel in Lower Street, Newcastle.

But the two sides have now come to an agreement which should mean live performances continue.

Landlord Nigel Woolliscroft and pub owner Marstons have agreed to pay for and put in place measures to reduce the level of sound leaving the venue.

These measures could include a higher beer garden wall, double glazing, soundproof fire doors and noise limiters.

Mr Woolliscroft said it was a relief that the issue had now been settled.

He said: "It is very good news that we will be able to continue hosting live music, but I don't wish to gloat over it.

"I'm just glad we've come to an agreement. It has taken a lot of time and effort from all the parties involved, particularly the borough council.

"It had always been the aim of all parties to reach a mutually pleasing outcome."

Travelodge opened its 82-bedroom hotel on the former Georgia Pacific site last June. Within three weeks of opening it had complained about the noise coming from the Old Brown Jug.

But this prompted a furious reaction from the pub's customers, who felt it was an important part of Newcastle's cultural landscape.

More than 3,500 people joined a Facebook group supporting the Old Brown Jug.

Mr Woolliscroft added: "The support of our customers has been very important. There was a big response to the articles in The Sentinel, nearly all of it in support of us.

"I think some people may have thought that we were just a back street pub of no importance, but now I think they are aware that we are a bit of an institution in Newcastle."

Julia Cleary, licensing manager at the borough council, said the agreement between the two sides had been endorsed by the authority's licensing committee.

She said: "There will be no live or amplified music outdoors until a series of measures to reduce the level of noise have been agreed with the borough council and implemented. The premises licence holder at the Old Brown Jug is also required to try to come up with a suitable indoor noise reduction scheme by July 29."

If no measures have been agreed by this date the matter will return to the licensing committee. Nobody from Travelodge was available to comment on the latest development.

What's on: Music, arts and entertainment in the week ahead