Neighbours complain about football noise at Tilney St Lawrence’s Buck Inn
Neighbours have claimed that England football fans cheering on the men’s team at their local pub created a “nightmare scenario” that left them unable to cope with the noise.
They said the racket caused by fans watching on outdoor TVs at the Buck Inn during Euro 2024 forced them out of their Tilney St Lawrence homes, only returning once the game had finished and the pub had closed.
The claims came during a West Norfolk Council licensing hearing last week, which will decide the future use of the recently revamped beer garden.
Ekta and Sameer Patel, the owners of the venue, have applied for permission to play live and recorded music in its beer garden on Fridays and Saturdays from 4pm-8pm, prompting neighbours to speak out against the plans.
Two neighbours, who wish to remain anonymous, said that noise levels became “unbearable” last summer, as crowds of 60-80 people gathered to watch matches being shown on two 60-inch TVs situated outside.
One, whose garden backs onto the pub’s, said: “It was a nightmare scenario at some points. I had to leave and come back after the pub closed.”
Another added that she fosters for vulnerable children and that they were frequently disturbed by the noise.
Mr and Mrs Patel defended their business, saying they were trying to revitalise a village pub and make it “part of the community”.
Mr Patel added: “The neighbours should have known the pub was there when they moved.”
However, prior to reopening this summer, the garden had previously been used as a “dump” for ten years according to the owners, before they reopened it.
Despite the past disagreements over noise, both the Patels and the objecting neighbours signalled they would be willing to negotiate to find a suitable outcome that benefits the business and their privacy in their homes.
Mr Patel did warn he would “not compromise our business for just one or two complaints.”
After hearing the evidence presented to them, councillors will make a decision as to whether to grant the licence or not at a later date.
