Complaints against pub ‘didn’t understand law’

Review HearS froM barriSter

LOUD music, screaming and ignoring coronavirus regulations were among the complaints made about a Gateshead pub.

But a barrister defending The Schooner claimed they were made by people who don’t understand the law.

In a report submitted to Gateshead Council, Northumbria Police claimed that live music from The Schooner was so loud it caused “public nuisance as far as Newcastle riverside, Byker and Walker.”

The force revealed that one person even contacted police to state they were “disgusted at the level of music, lack of social distancing and blatant disregard to the wider community by the Schooner pub” when gigs restarted over the summer.

The document referenced six noise complaints with one St Peter’s

Basin resident complaining about “incredibly loud” music and people screaming.

The force also said it had received a report that the South Shore Road venue reopened on July 1, three days before pubs and restaurants were officially allowed to.

However, it admits that “no offences were identified” as a result of this report.

The pub was also accused of flouting Covid-19 rules, with the council’s director of public health, Alice Wiseman, writing in a report that there was “a continued lack of social distancing on and around the premises”. Speaking on behalf of the force, Inspector David Wheeler admitted that between 2018 and March this year there was “very little concern” about the premises and police felt it was “well run”.

However, he said the force was supporting the review as a result of the concerns raised by the council’s environmental health department.

Stuart Sorrell, assistant manager at the environmental health department, also claimed the pub had “unilaterally” took over the pavement.

The council licensing committee meeting also heard from barrister

Charles Holland, who was representing the pub’s four owners.

He said that the majority of the complaints about lockdown breaches were uncorroborated.

Mr Holland said: “The story begins with the lockdown. The Prime Minister ordered the pubs to close on Friday and the law didn’t come into force until the next day.

“What this pandemic has brought is a new series of rules and a great willingness on the part of the public to complain and call hot lines.

“I’m not saying that is a bad thing, but what you end up with is people complaining who don’t necessarily understand the law.

“There is a welter of complaints recorded in the review from the beginning of lockdown but none of them found any breach at all.”

However, he said that one incident in April, where two people were seen using a table was a “technical breach” that happened when one of the owners became distracted by installing a TV.

Ahead of the review, punters sent letters of support defending the venue as a “long-standing champion of live music in the North East”.

John Macintyre, one of the pub’s regulars, said: “The Schooner is a great pub, providing great food and drink, gives people employment, and musicians an opportunity to make a living. It is a cultural and social asset in my view.”

The outcome of the licensing review will be posted online in due course.