East Lothian Courier. » News » Pub told: curb noise

re: Pub Told: Curb Noise

HISTORIC PUB CONDEMNED BY NEW SUCCESS

The oppinion of A.Voice

I feel North Berwick's proud tradition of common sense has suffered a cruel blow this week, ironically dealt by it's own counciller. This farce being the reprimandation of the Auld Hoose, it's staff and it's clientel, with the current liscensee, Mr. Craig Edwards, being forced before the liscensing commitee earlier this week.

The cause of both Mr. Edward's review and Mr. Berry's concern was excessive noise. Noise caused by smoking customers at the doors of the pub and amplified music on the premises. Fair grounds for complaint were they supported by substaintiated evidence. As an employee of the Auld Hoose I know from expirience that many of the arguments against Mr. Edwards, his 'attitude' and his handling of these situations to be crude and at best unfair. Below I feel is the reality behind the counciller's comments.

“I know the premises in question because it is in my ward,” - David Berry

Mr. Berry may well be aware of the Auld Hoose, but he does not understand it, he has not frequently visited this pub in a considerable amount of time. During this time the pub has risen considerably in both popularity and esteem within the local community, an impossible achievement without responsible and friendly staff and management.

“The situation as it stands at the moment is unacceptable.”

I feel it would be more accurate to say that without any genuine cooperation and consideration from the council to assist Mr. Edwards in finding a solution that the situation is not "unacceptable" it is infact "unavoidable". The age and protected status of the Auld Hoose's buildings has placed restrictions of the facilities Mr. Edwards can provide for his smoking clientel. There is no viable outdoor location for his custom to smoke other than outside the doors, customers are not violent or disorderly whilst outside.

“As a local member I have lived in the area for a long time and it’s a bar that’s been popular for a long time.

This statement to my understanding is also, arguably, a misunderstanding on the part of Mr. Berry. The Majority of the clientel who frequent the pub would never have dreamed of doing so only a year or 2 ago. Mr Edwards has brought in a considerably larger number of responsible customers through his door, and as a result a greater number of smokers. Surely he is not expected to limit his own custom to satisfy a very small number of complaints?

“However, I have had comments in the last two years and they’re getting worse."

Firstly, to attempt to defame or penalize Mr. Edwards for 2 years of complaints is rediculous and surely impossible? Mr. Edwards has only been the liscensee of the premises since August of 2007 and so I feel such generalized and unsupported statements are irrelevent to the case which was brought before the board.

Secondly where is the evidence of this aparent decline in standards and responsibility? Surely Counciller Berry should justify such a sweeping comments with evidence? I am sure if he were to ask the many members of his community who have visited and enjoyed the pub's atmosphere under the new management he would hear only stories of vast improvent.

To appease the council, Mr. Edwards has taken action, asking customers to use an alternate door to further reduce the inconviniece to the neighbours most disturbed. A respobsible move, and the most substiantial

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re: Pub Told: Curb Noise

HISTORIC PUB CONDEMNED BY NEW SUCCESS

The oppinion of A.Voice - Continued

Mr Edwards was realistically capable of within the restrictions facing him.

Thankfully the Board did renew the liscense of this successful and decent publican, though it seems without cooperation between Mr. Berry and Mr. Edwards to find a viable and realistic solution that this issue may not resolve itself to quickly.

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SUCCESS AGAINST ALL ODDS

The opinion of Tony Millar

Yet again we find Mr Berry fighting the good fight for the benefit of North Berwick. Well, realistically, if that were the case he would keep his mouth shut and put his brain in gear first.

Mr Berry states that he is alarmed by the number of complaints rising in 2 years with regards to the Auld Hoose. Surely it would have been beneficial to nip this problem in the bud 2 years ago? Certainly, as a person speaking from experience of working closely with antisocial behaviour teams, and environmental health, I would have thought that the most prudent action.

The Auld Hoose has been visited on 2 occasions by the local constabulary. On both occasions Mr Edwards was informed that the noise level was tolerable and that they could see that he was making an attempt to keep noise levels down. This of course being before he was dragged in front of the licensing commitee.

Speaking of substantiated evidence, legally speaking, unless complaints are investigated thoroughly and backed by the collation of evidence, then the complaints are classed as "hearsay" evidence, which of course everyone knows is hardly admissable as evidence.

I am aware of one of the complainants taking photographs of smokers one evening. I even managed to smile for one of them. Hmmm, whole can of worms there. Maybe this encroaches on human rights violations (people have to be asked first and permission granted). I'm assuming the complainant enquired about the use of camera equipment with the Home Office before taking the pictures, after all they wouldn't want to be in violation of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (see under Intrusive Surveillance). No noise monitoring equipment has been used to test the level of decibels, also the complainant claims that the noise can be heard in their property. Again, speaking from experience, I've stood outside the Auld Hoose on a busy night and the noise was not excessive. I fail to see how the noise could be amplified through the complainants door and windows. Maybe an X files moment. Maybe there was a gunman on the grasy knoll? Get real.

The Auld Hoose has been there for decades. If I were to buy a property next to a public house I would have the initiative and the savvy to know that there may be some level of noise being emmited.

This appears to be nothing more than a witch-hunt. There are no constructive efforts to assist Mr Edwards here. Whoever dragged Mr Edwards in front of the licensing commitee is nothing less than pompous, arrogant and lacking in any kind of mental fortitude whatsoever.

Word to the wise Mr Berry. Think first, there are always 2 sides to every story and you have been listening to 1. I have no idea how you got where you are if you have always worked and lived by that rule. Do yourself a fovour and get into the Auld Hoose and have a word with the customers. I know Mr Edwards is English but I'm sure you can see past that. I have also been informed that you enjoyed playing the drum kit in years gone by, in the Auld Hoose. Hope it wasn't amplified. Pot, kettle, black!

I'll finish by speaking on behalf of many Auld Hoose customers in congratulating Mr Edwards for turning the Auld Hoose round and continuing to do so when the odds are so clearly stacked against him.

Well done Craig. Happy Days!

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