After apologising for its noisy past, York pub gets to stay open

The York pub threatened with closure over repeated noise complaints can celebrate today – albeit quietly.

The Clockhouse in Acomb has won a reprieve from councillors.

City of York Council wanted to withdraw the licence from the Kingsway West pub after a number of reports from residents about music – including occasions when noise patrol officers heard Sweet Caroline and Come On Eileen being played at an “unreasonable level” after 11pm.

A report says council officers were repeatedly called to the Clockhouse over complaints about loud music during 2017 and 2018.

But landlord Paul Harris says the venue’s DJ has now been moved to another room and he will install a noise limiter system at the premises.

‘Belittled the licence’

Mr Harris and his company were fined nearly £5,000 in January after being convicted for running a pub that is too noisy.

Since then, a further complaint about noise and anti-social behaviour has been received.

Speaking at the meeting, council solicitor Victoria Waudby said Mr Harris had “belittled” the licence conditions and has “had his chance”.

She added: “The conditions proposed will require more work.”

Christopher Grunert, representing Mr Harris, said the pub hosts a lot of events that run without complaint from neighbours, adding:

• There were several breaches of conditions over several years that I’m sure cause concern for the committee.

  We apologies unreservedly for those. I appreciate we have work to do in instilling confidence. It’s a very popular premises, independently run in York. Mr Harris has run this pub for 13 years.
  

The meeting heard that the pub is a “community hub” with darts and pool teams as well as a number of other societies. It has about 12 members of staff.

The committee asked for a noise limiter to be installed and said doors and windows should be shut after 10pm.