Noise warning for pubs

Pubs are being warned to prepare for changes to the Noise Act which could see noisy pubs hit with £5,000 fines.

From next month, the Act has been extended to include licensed premises and gives authorities the power to hit pubs with £500 on-the-spot fines - which can rise to £5,000.

Penalties​Leading licensing solicitor Lionel Fynn says pubs need to be aware of the penalties.

He told morningadvertiser.co.uk: "The new regulations under the Noise Act 1996 cut through some of the existing red tape and will make it easier for a complainant to have action taken.​

"Noise complaints to local authorities from householders have rocketed in recent years, especially in town and city centres as the number of late opening premises has risen."

Fynn, a senior partner in Horsey, Lightly, Fynn, said: "Persistent offenders now have to face up to a wide range of enforcement powers, including fixed penalty notices, fines in default, statutory abatement notices, closure of premises and seizure of offending equipment, all of which may be followed by a review of the licence."​

Smoke ban​He also warned that the smoking ban could have an impact on noise outside pubs.

He added: "Some licensed premises are already seeking permission to put up structures outside where their customers can smoke.​

"Since these will need to be 50% open to the elements, not including the roof, to be exempt from the regulations, you can already see there could be added noise on a busy Friday or Saturday night for instance."