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12:01am Friday 4th July 2008
Noise complaints have soared in some areas as residents protest about smokers congregating in beer gardens and outside pubs.
Councils have been given new guidance to deal with the "rising tide" of complaints since the smoking ban was introduced, the Local Government Association said.
Most councils have received complaints about the noise outside licensed premises, particularly in town centres and other built-up areas since July 1 last year.
Brighton and Hove City Council has seen complaints soar from one a year to 60, with most councils reporting complaints in double figures, the LGA said.
Councils have struggled to apply powers designed to deal with noise from barking dogs and blaring stereos to licensed venues like pubs and nightclubs.
But they have received new powers to deal with night-time noise under the recently extended Noise Act 1996.
Licensees can be given an instant penalty of £500 for excessive noise coming from their premises, such as a beer garden or smoking shelter.
They can also be prosecuted and fined up to £20,000 if they fail to comply with a council warning.
Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, chairman of the Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services, said: "Smoke-free pubs, clubs and restaurants have proved a big hit with the public but it has also led to an increase in noise complaints to councils from local residents.
"Councils are committed to putting local people first and will use every tool at their disposal to make sure residents can enjoy peace and quiet in their own homes.
"Noise levels in our towns and cities are rising so it's good news that many councils are already working closely with pubs and clubs in their area so they can address any noise problems before enforcement action is needed."
Brecht, Hove says...
11:10am Fri 4 Jul 08
John Player, Brighton says...
11:19am Fri 4 Jul 08
feline1, Brighton says...
11:51am Fri 4 Jul 08
John Player wrote:Why is there persecution of smokers? Answer: because they give people cancer! :)
Why is there a persecution of smokers,they were quiet enough in the pubs, then complain when they chat on the pavement, obvious put them back in the pub.
sandi-pandi, brighton says...
12:25pm Fri 4 Jul 08
ROGER, WORTHING says...
3:07pm Fri 4 Jul 08
No, Way says...
7:04pm Fri 4 Jul 08
Ian wrote:boo hoo, tell them to stop making excuses and do something about it. people will go to a pub if there is something there worth going to. like turning the music downso we can actually talk in the pubs rather than go outside to talk. stop charging £3.00 for a pint of fosters, you'll get more people in the door.
Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, chairman of the Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services, said: "Smoke-free pubs, clubs and restaurants have proved a big hit with the public but it has also led to an increase in noise complaints to councils from local residents."
What a load of crap, try telling that to the 3 or 4 pub owners I know whos takings are down 50/60% since the smoking ban.
Jim, Btn says...
7:18pm Fri 4 Jul 08
feline1 wrote:Just answer this question with an answer that is justified. Why can't smokers have a separate closed off area in a pub if a landlord wants to install one. No-one that does not want to be exposed to the smoke does not have to and so it does not affect anyone else. I have asked this question many many times and have not had a legitimate answer.
John Player wrote: Why is there a persecution of smokers,they were quiet enough in the pubs, then complain when they chat on the pavement, obvious put them back in the pub.Why is there persecution of smokers? Answer: because they give people cancer! :)
Fredrik Eich, London (ish) says...
10:08pm Sat 5 Jul 08
FRED, brighton says...
11:20am Sun 6 Jul 08
dena, brighton says...
7:41pm Sun 6 Jul 08
Jim wrote:woo hoo spot on as a former licensee myself i can agree with your statement it should be left to the landlords / landladies to decide if they want smoking to continue on their premises pubs have suffered dematically since the ban which is totally pointless as people still suffer from second hand smoke when they now walk past the group of smokers in the streets so makes no difference at all if people are that anti smoking stay at home dont use the pubs you know what your going to get before going in its been that way for years dont be stupid and try to change things it makes everything worse...........
feline1 wrote:Just answer this question with an answer that is justified. Why can\\\'t smokers have a separate closed off area in a pub if a landlord wants to install one. No-one that does not want to be exposed to the smoke does not have to and so it does not affect anyone else. I have asked this question many many times and have not had a legitimate answer. I\\\'ll tell you why there really is persecution of smokers. It\\\'s a polical bandwagon that was started by interfering liberals in the US, then spread to Europe and is now here.John Player wrote: Why is there a persecution of smokers,they were quiet enough in the pubs, then complain when they chat on the pavement, obvious put them back in the pub.Why is there persecution of smokers? Answer: because they give people cancer! :)
YogiS, midwest says...
10:34pm Mon 21 Jul 08
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Ian, Brighton says...
11:07am Fri 4 Jul 08
What a load of crap, try telling that to the 3 or 4 pub owners I know whos takings are down 50/60% since the smoking ban.