RESIDENTS have welcomed the news that an Amesbury pub has closed its doors, with others shocked and ready to fight for its reopening.

And one local believes the town's nightlife scene should come to a halt at 11.30pm every night.

Last week Wiltshire Council stripped The New Inn of its licence, following complaints of noise, intoxicated customers and antisocial behaviour.

The application to review the premises licence was put forward by Wiltshire Police which said since July 19, 2021, to date, there had been around 17 reports made to the force concerning The New Inn.

Despite suggestions of closing the establishment earlier, the council's southern area licensing sub committee concluded that, with no information on who would manage the pub in the future, “a fresh licence application” would address issues of “serious antisocial behaviour, public nuisance and public safety”.

READ MORE: Pub licence stripped after issues of noise, drugs and fighting

During the meeting John Madeley, who lives near the site, said that the main customers for the New Inn are “single, young soldiers”, adding that across the weekend “chaos engulfs the town for many hours, as many intoxicated young customers are tipped on to the streets”.

He claims the streets are regularly filled with shouting, swearing, vomiting and urinating, and one night in October seven police cars were visible in the area.

He added that nearby businesses have “given up” replacing smashed windows, caused by antisocial behaviour.

Concerned for Amesbury's tourism sector, Mr Madeley feels there should be an 11.30pm closure for the whole town.

Talking to the Journal, he said: "People don't want to come here and people who do come can't sleep. These places are causing so much trouble.

"So much money is being spent on a heritage centre for the town with the idea to bring tourists in, but no one wants to come here because of the nightlife."

Mr Madeley's wife Frances added that their weekends have been "ruined for several years", and behaviour on the streets is setting "a dreadful example" to children and younger people.

"Adding to the spoiled evenings, there are revellers prancing around Salisbury Street at 1am or 2am, or even 3am, depending what day of the week. This noise is waking us up and making it very difficult to return to sleep," she added.

Following the licence revoke however, both Amesbury locals and visitors have turned to social media to express their anger at the licence decision.

A Facebook group has been set up - Help The New Inn Amesbury - which has already got more than 100 members.

On a Journal social media post one user said: "I cannot believe that the most well-run pub in Amesbury has come under this victimisation. It has gone through a lot changes and improvements and is a family-oriented pub.

"There are far worse places frequented in Amesbury that go under the radar for serving drunks and allowing drugs on their premises. This vendetta must stop now before we become a ghost town."

Another said: "Such a shame! The New Inn was the only pub in Amesbury that myself and my friends enjoyed going too and felt safe.

"Seems very unfair to close this pub when I’m sure other pubs are the exact same."

Nathan Muirhead, the former landlord, has been approached for comment.

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