Mass support for pub over clash with Travelodge

Nearly 3,000 people have thrown their support behind a popular music pub threatened with a licence review after noise complaints from a newly-opened Travelodge hotel.

The Old Brown Jug, in Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Staffordshire, is facing a premises licence review if it cannot reach a compromise with the budget hotel chain.

But supporters of the pub are furious about the situation and currently 2,883 have signed their name to the Facebook campaign - 'Stand up for the Jug, Stand up for Newcastle'.

Nigel Woolliscroft, lessee at the Marston's-owned pub, said in his 11 years in charge he had only ever had one previous complaint.

"Travelodge opened its hotel in June and within three weeks they were already complaining about the noise," he said. "It's so unjust, we've been here 11 years.

"The stress it's caused has been unbelievable. I'm 54 and I've never known anything like it."

The pub, which refers to itself as "Newcastle's best known live music venue", plays host to a wide variety of live music including salsa, indie, jazz and new metal.

But the problems have arisen from DJ nights the pub stages in its beer garden on Friday and Saturday nights.

However Nigel, who has the backing of Marston's, said when he applied for the licence to host the nights there had been no objections from residents.

He added: "There's a big dual carriageway between us and the hotel and the road is undoubtedly far noisier than the pub."

A crunch meeting between his solicitors and Travelodge's legal team, and management, is due to take to place on Friday (October 15).

A spokesman for Travelodge said: "A number of our guests have complained about the noise and we want to come to an amicable solution. It's not just guests, local residents have complained too.

"We have a meeting on Friday and we hope it will be resolved amicably. Up and down the country we have come to similar agreements. It should be easily resolved.

He added: "The last thing we want to do is close the Old Brown Jug down."

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council confirmed Travelodge had complained about noise at the pub. A spokeswoman added: "The council has now invited further objections from other interested parties over a 28-day period.

"Depending on the response, there may then be a hearing of the licensing committee to consider the matter."