A CLOSED Amesbury pub has been granted a fresh licence, despite concerns from both police and neighbours.

The New Inn is to reopen with a focus on the “more mature clientele”, with new owner Ashley Brindley confirming there will be no live music onsite.

Wiltshire Police fears the reopening would cause antisocial behaviour to return to the town however, after a “drastic drop” in these types of offences had been recorded once the pub had closed, formerly run by Nathan Muirhead.

New opening times

Heard during a Wiltshire Council licencing sub committee meeting on March 31, it was granted that the site along High Street can be open until 11pm on Sundays, 11.30pm Monday to Wednesday, 12.30am on Thursdays, and 1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.

The sale of alcohol will stop half an hour before closing every day.

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'A fighting chance'

Under company One Dream, Mr Brindley, who also runs The Kings Arms on Church Street, made it clear that if the licence application was unsuccessful, he would not be taking on the venture.

Heard during the meeting, a One Dream representative added the rejection of the licence would cause a “tremendous loss for Amesbury”.

He said new plans for the pub would “appeal to a more mature clientele which can enjoy the economy responsibly”, and it needed “a fighting chance” after previous management.

Changes to The New Inn

As well as stripping The New Inn of its live music, only playing recorded music inside, alterations to the establishment include changing the internal layout, fencing off the car park, changes to noise levels reflecting the time of day, and improvements to security and door staff.

Chairing the meeting, Councillor Kevin Daley asked what the overall vision is for The New Inn, of which Mr Brindley replied it could be a place to “come relax after a meal”.

He added it would be “family friendly” and an “opportunity to sit down somewhere not too noisy and lively”.

'High potential' for ASB to return

This new vision was not met with enthusiasm from police however, which had called for a licence review in the first place due to ongoing issues of antisocial behaviour, violence, public disorder and drugs in the area.

Police licensing officer Alastair Day told the committee that following The New Inn’s closure from December 31, there had been a reduction in offences reported to the force.

A “drastic drop” in reports had allowed “a much needed respite for residents and emergency services,” he said.

Mr Day feared that reopening the pub would cause “high potential” for previous behaviours to resume.

Noise is 'enormous worry'

Echoing concerns, meeting attendee and Amesbury resident Frances Madeley told the committee “serious noise issues are anticipated”, and ongoing ‘background’ music was an “enormous worry” for those living near the pub.

“A successful and well-run pub does not need music at all times,” she said.

Husband John added it wasn’t just the noise or disruption, “but the anticipation waiting for something to happen”.

“The more establishments that open, the more people out on the streets.”

Support for licence

A resident supporting the application said it would be “unfair and immoral” to not grant the licence, adding what used to be “a vibrant town” was “diminishing” with loss of banks, pharmacies and now hospitality.

Another resident added the management change would halt the levels of public nuisance.

Next steps

Following the grant of the licence, it was agreed a telephone number would be given to residents living near The New Inn, should they have any concerns about noise or customers, and a noise management plan must be completed.

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