Reading licensee blames council for inconsistency

A Reading licensee has accused his local council of being "inconsistent" over its implementation of the Licensing Act.

Dean Miles, licensee of the Butchers Arms in Tilehurst, Reading, applied for an extra hour on Friday and Saturday evenings and a half an hour on Sunday.

He was refused the extended hours on August 25 after the licensing authority claimed he was in a residential area.

While the local residents issued a complaint claiming they did not want any pubs to have extended hours they did not complain against the Butchers Arms in particular.

However, he is now appealing after the pub opposite was granted a variation to its licence and is being allowed to open later.

He said: "I reckon its because I applied early. There was no objection from local residents to my pub."

He is outraged the decision as he has spent £5,000 on air filters and emergency lighting to please both the fire department and police. He says it is the principle of the issue that he is fighting as the pub, which is on the same street and directly opposite did not have its application dismissed out of hand.

He said: "We are the most quiet inoffensive pub in the area. The police have never been called. The local police inspector is even writing a letter of support.

"I'm just so frustrated by the whole thing! It makes you think is it worth it?"

A spokeswoman for Reading Borough Council said: "In general, the Licensing Authority will deal with the issue of licensing hours on the individual merits of each application.

"However, when issuing a licence, stricter conditions are likely to be imposed with regard to noise control in the case of premises that are situated in largely residential areas.

"In general, public houses located in and catering for residential areas wishing to open beyond 11pm will need to demonstrate clearly that public nuisance will not result from later operation.

"I can also confirm that there were a number of objectors to the Butchers Arms application, hence the application had to progress to a hearing."