Earlsdon Cottage has its hours cut after noise complaints...

A city bar has had its opening hours cut after complaints over noise.



Earlsdon Cottage had seen it able to play live music until 2.30am and recorded music until 6am.

But after a review city councillors voted to slash that by a number of hours.

Sales of alcohol and entertainment will now cease at 11.30pm between Sundays and Thursdays, with the venue closing 30 minutes later.

The hearing ruled Fridays and Saturdays should see alcohol sales and entertainment stop at 1am.

It was also ordered to remove outside speakers and axe all entertainment in the beer garden.

And bosses must install noise limiting devices before any music can be played.

We revealed in September how the venue was under pressure after residents in Earlsdon Street had become fed up at licencing rules being flouted. Locals also raised concerns over anti-social behaviour.

Rachel Field, council environmental protection manager, welcomed the decision.

"This has been a long standing issue that has blighted the lives of nearby residents.

"We always try and work with the licensees to solve any problems but if that does not work, we will take enforcement action as in this case."

Council pulls plug on noisy Earlsdon pub



Council officers have swooped on a pub in Coventry and taken away its amplifiers – after complaints about the noise.

Environmental protection officers acted on Friday after persistent gripes about noise levels at the Earlsdon Cottage.

The council says it has removed the ‘‘music amplification system’’ from the popular pub in Warwick Street, Earlsdon to stop residents being bothered by loud music.

Rachel Field, Environmental Protection Manager at Coventry city council, said: “This is not a step we have taken lightly. Where we are faced with venues that persistently disturb the neighbourhood we can use our powers to remove the music system on gaining a warrant from the Magistrates’ Court.”

The seizure of the venue’s sound system is the latest in a series of actions taken by the council to combat noise at the bar and a dispute has been raging between the venue and the council for some time.

The council served the pub with a noise abatement notice in July 2012, but complaints have continued. Council officers say they have witnessed 33 occasions of noise since then.

In December last year, the sub-licensing committee reduced the bar’s licensing hours and imposed further noise restrictions on the premises. But the licence holder has appealed against that decision and a court hearing is set at the end of October.

Coun Phil Townshend, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Equalities, said: “This action sends a clear message to venues across the city that although the council wants to work with all local businesses, it will take enforcement action where there are breaches of the law if warnings are not heeded in order to protect local residents and the wider community.”

Pub Manager Steve Carvell accused the council of carrying out a ‘‘witch hunt’’ and claimed there was only one complainant.

He said: ‘‘We currently are in the process of appealing all of the alleged 33 occasions that a nuisance has been witnessed by the council officers. Due to the nature of this, this evidence can only be presented before the courts at the next hearing.

‘‘We had worked closely with the council’s teams for years to resolve any alleged noise issues, and also at our considerable expense in excess of £30,000 further soundproofing the building.

‘‘This entire process appears to have now turned into a personal ‘witch hunt’ on the owners and occupiers of the Cottage, rather than a professional approach based on facts and evidence.

‘‘Despite the impartial attempts for the council to frustrate our trade over the weekend, the premises continued to operate as usual and we welcomed many happy customers over the bank holiday weekend. The weekend was a huge success.

‘‘Whilst we carry on with this legal process and and bring this matter to a close once and for all, the Earlsdon Cottage will continue to open its doors every week and continue to provide a fantastic amenity for both local residents and the city as a whole.’’

Earlsdon Cottage pub owner in court for alleged breach of noise abatement order

The owner of the Earlsdon Cottage pub, Ian Carvell, appeared at Coventry Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

He was due to enter a plea after being issued a summons for the alleged breach of a noise abatement order.

He asked for an adjournment and the case was put off until December 11.

Noise row pub boss must pay £21,000

A COVENTRY pub has dropped its appeal against a reduced hours order issued in a row over noise levels.

But the owners of the Earlsdon Cottage insist they have not given up the fight.

Last December, Coventry City Council’s sub-licensing committee cut the Warwick Street bar’s licensing hours and imposed noise restriction.

An appeal was launched against the ruling but that has now been withdrawn by licence holder and pub owner Ian Carvell.

Coventry Magistrates ordered him to pay £21,874 in appeal costs to the council.

Council licensing chiefs had ordered that between Sunday and Thursday, the Cottage should stop selling alcohol and stop all entertainment at 11.30pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, the sale of alcohol and entertainment must stop at 1am, and the venue must close at 1.30am.

The action was taken following complaints about noise.

Steve Carvell, the pub’s manager, said he and his father had dropped the appeal, but he stressed they still intended to fight the council over the issue.

They claim that the method used to collect noise complaints was unfair.

Steve said: “We have been advised by our legal advisers to withdraw our appeal at this time. We have received information that the information gathered by the Environmental Protection Team leading to this case and the review of the premises licence was collated incorrectly.’’

He said a formal complaint had been made to Coventry City Council.

A Coventry city council spokesman said a complaint was received and investigated.

He added: ‘‘Based on the information we have been given we have no basis to pursue the matter at the current time.”

Rachel Field, Coventry City Council’s environmental protection manager, said: “As the appeal has now been withdrawn the licence conditions imposed by the committee in December 2012 are now in force and should result in quieter nights for residents.’’

After years of investigations, claims and counterclaims, the future of transformed former back-street boozer hangs in the balance

Controversial nightspot the Earlsdon Cottage faced the final reckoning in its lengthy dispute with the city council over late-night noise complaints.

But after years of investigations, claims and counterclaims, the transformed former back-street boozer was handed an extension to the crunch hearing – by council staff.

The date of the venue’s licensing review coincided with local authority staff strikes, so the day of judgment was put back for another six weeks.

The council’s environmental protection team can’t be accused of giving short measure in its criticism, describing Cottage bosses as “unco-operative and confrontational” people.

Having exhausted all the licensing curbs available and problems still persisting, the team’s report to the licensing panel says the only option left is to take away the licence, a potential death knell for a venue which opened in 2006 after a reported £1million makeover.

The Carvell family which operates the Warwick Street nightspot has claimed victimisation and disputes the accuracy of the noise readings taken.

All should be decided on September 19. But don’t hold your breath.

Earlsdon Cottage pub loses licence after noise complaints

The Cottage pub in Earlsdon has had its licence revoked for causing a “public nuisance”.

The decision to take away the venue's ability to sell alcohol or put on entertainment was announced this afternoon.

It was taken by Coventry City Council’s licensing and regulatory sub-committee after a hearing at the council house which took place on Friday.

The committee heard how the pub’s management team was accused of creating unacceptable levels of noise, as well as refusing to work with council officers, and the committee has now made the decision to revoke the premises’ licence to trade.

Coun Patricia Hetherton, chairman of the licensing and regulatory committee, said: “The decision to revoke the licence of The Cottage was one of the most difficult the committee has had to take.

“We had to balance the desire to support a business to trade successfully with the need to make sure residents’ lives are not blighted by noise and nuisance.

“The review hearing was told of a catalogue of noise and public nuisance complaints made over a number of years. We also heard how licensees have consistently failed to work with council officers to try to resolve the problems.

“While we accept there will always be noise coming from pubs and clubs, residents should be able to expect the agreed levels of noise are kept to.”

For Sale: Earlsdon Cottage on market after regaining licence

A truce has been reached in a bitter battle between the Earlsdon Cottage and Coventry City Council.

The long-running saga reached the courts this week as the pub’s owners - the Carvell family - tried to win back their licence.

In September the council’s licensing and regulatory committee had revoked the Warwick Street pub’s licence to sell alcohol or put on entertainment after hearing of a catalogue of complaints over noise dating back to 2008.

However the pub was allowed to continue trading because the Carvells appealed, and the hearing got underway at Leamington Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

And after two days of the scheduled three-day hearing, an as-yet undisclosed deal was reached meaning the pub has its licence back in full.

Now the Carvell family can continue with their efforts to put the pub on the market.

Manager Steve Carvell said: “Following the appeal, we are glad to confirm that we have reached a compromise with Coventry City Council.

“The deal proposed by the council was accepted by us as it allows us to focus on the priority issue of moving the Cottage into a new era.

“My main focus will now be on achieving these goals and ensuring that a new owner is found and provided the opportunity to re-build and evolve the business moving forward.

“This will, of course, also allow them to develop a new relationship with the council, which we no longer wish to do for various reasons.

“We have had many years of disputes with the council regarding this premises, which absorbs a vast amount of time and money. We unfortunately have a complete breakdown in trust and confidence with the council.”

The Carvells said the complaints about noise levels were primarily made by a former employee living nearby, and claimed the council had held back an independent report by a sound engineer as it swayed in the Cottage’s favour.

West Midlands Police confirmed they were launching a formal investigation into possible ‘misconduct in public office’ following a complaint by the Carvells.

Coventry City Council were set to issue a statement this afternoon.

Anyone interested in purchasing the Earlsdon Cottage can visit http://www.humberstones.co.uk for more information.

Earlsdon Cottage licensing row heading back to court

A long-running battle between the Earlsdon Cottage and council chiefs is heading back to the courtroom.

The pub's bosses had seen their licence to trade stripped away by Coventry City Council last year before appealing the decision in court last month.

An agreement was reached on the second day of the appeal hearing that meant the pub in Warwick Street could have its licence back while the owners – the Carvell family – sought a buyer for the premises.

However, the council claims that the Carvells have not stuck to the terms of that deal, and the court proceedings will now resume in June at Leamington Magistrates Court.

A spokesman for the city council said: “The owners were unable to provide the council with the details of any buyers able to buy the premises by the deadline set by the court and consequently we have asked for the appeal hearing to resume.

“The court have agreed to that request.”

Earlsdon Cottage’s licence to sell alcohol or put on entertainment was initially revoked in September last year after the council’s licensing and regulatory committee heard of a catalogue of complaints over noise dating back to 2008.

However, the Carvells immediately appealed, which meant the pub was allowed to continue trading until the hearing could be held.

The Carvells said the complaints about noise levels were primarily made by a former employee living nearby, and claimed the council had held back an independent report by a sound engineer as it swayed in the Cottage’s favour.

Speaking to the Telegraph today, the pub’s manager Steve Carvell said: “We will continue to evolve and re-build our business, while we explore all available options, as all good businesses do.

“We are willing and able to continue with our appeal process on June 1 and are confident that the decision made by the council will be formally overturned by the court.

“In any event, we look forward to evolving The Cottage in the coming weeks and months, and continue to provide the people of Coventry with a fantastic amenity to the city.”

West Midlands Police confirmed in January that they were launching a formal investigation into possible ‘misconduct in public office’ following a complaint by the Carvells.

The Cottage is currently closed for refurbishment and is set to reopen to customers on Saturday, February 28.

New manager spearheads a new direction for the Earlsdon Cottage



A Coventry pub is looking to start afresh as years of legal battles over noise come to a head.

The Earlsdon Cottage has been locked in a long-running saga with Coventry City Council, which is set to be concluded in court this summer.

However, bosses at the bar in Warwick Street, Earlsdon, say life must go on and that finishing touches were being made to a number of changes at the venue, which will see them put on functions and live music.

Sam Stockmans, who took over as general manager three weeks ago, believes the refurbishment can help breathe new life in to the bar.

The 23-year-old former Finham Park School pupil, who has worked as events manager at a number of bars across Coventry, including Kasbah, S7VEN and Carey's, and also in Warwickshire, said: “We are doing a temporary refresh of the whole venue - anywhere that looks a bit tired we are reviving.

"We are currently going down a completely different route to what people currently know the Cottage as.

"People think it’s a destination club, but we are not, we are a bar.

"The conservatory will become a rock/VIP bar which will also be good for functions, we also have a function room upstairs which is already booked out for weddings and birthdays from 21sts to 60ths.

"The bar has been transformed in to a food area also where we have got Tiger Bills franchise coming in to do a third of the menu and we will change the other two-thirds. After the trading of food it will be a cocktail bar.

"One thing we are going to be very strict on is that we are free entry. Bank Holidays are probably the only time you may see a small charge as I don’t believe you should pay to get in to a bar.

"The snug bar at the front is being revived back to its rustic roots as well - it’s all so far so good.

"The Cottage was maybe seen as just for the 18-30 crowd before but we are looking to broaden that spectrum and get away from the fact people saw us as a club.”

The owners of the Cottage, the Carvell family, will resume their court battle with the city council as they look to overturn the decision to revoke their licence because of complaints about noise.

The appeal will be heard at Leamington Magistrates Court in June.

Steve Carvell said: "Coventry nightlife has just disappeared - Carey's which was there for 25 years has shut down, that dreadful incident at the weekend (the stabbing of Daniel Kirkwood at Society) means another venue has closed down - there’s just nothing left.

"We hear it firsthand from people saying ‘where is left?’

"We are left fighting that problem as an operator as there’s not enough going on generally for people to consider a full night out in Coventry, they are going to Birmingham or Leamington instead.

"But we are evolving the business model here and looking to offer something different with the partnership with Tiger Bills.”

Tiger Bills move to Coventry on cards after Earlsdon Cottage wins licence back



The owners of the Earlsdon Cottage say they are looking forward to a “new era” after a bitter battle with Coventry City Council finally came to an end.

An agreement which secures the bar its licence means bosses can now press ahead with a deal to bring popular restaurant chain Tiger Bills to Coventry.

The Cottage has been at loggerheads with council chiefs for the past few years over noise complaints, which culminated in the bar being stripped of its licence last year.

A stop-start courtroom battle has ensued ever since.

But, after returning to court yesterday, an agreement has finally been reached which means The Cottage will remain open, although it will have to reduce its opening hours.

The bar will now have to stop selling alcohol from 11pm and close the building at 11.30pm Sunday to Thursday, with no alcohol sales after 12.45am, and close the doors at 1.15am Friday and Saturday.

This is a reduction of 30 minutes Sunday to Thursday and 15 minutes Friday and Saturday.

However, retaining their licence means that the Carvell family, who own the bar, can now press ahead with plans to bring Thai and Tex-Mex chain Tiger Bills to the Earlsdon venue, in a deal which they say will create around 35 jobs.

Steve Carvell represented himself, his father Ian and his sister Sarah, who has been licensee at the pub since November 2013, at yesterday’s hearing.

He said: “We are glad to say that an agreement has been reached with the council and endorsed by the court for the reinstatement of our premises licence at the Earlsdon Cottage.

“Significant progress has been made on a number of fronts, including with local residents, resulting in no complaints being received by the council relating to noise nuisance for a very long period of time.

“We now look forward to evolving the business into a new era and attempting to put a long period of litigation behind us.

"This will allow us to focus on the business and our exciting new food launch in the coming weeks with Tiger Bills.

“We remain committed to upholding the licensing objectives, whilst also evolving the business further, and continuing to provide a fantastic amenity to the people of Coventry.”

The decision made at the magistrates court also means that:

• The Cottage’s bank holiday extended hours have effectively been removed;
  
• The designated premises supervisor will be replaced;
  
• And the Carvells were ordered to pay two-thirds of the council’s courts, which is expected to be approximately £20,000.

A council spokesman said: “The judge made the decision to reinstate the licence for the Earlsdon Cottage with alterations to its conditions including reduced hours of opening and serving alcohol.

“The judge made clear the decision of the licensing sub-committee in September 2014 to revoke the licence was not wrong based on the evidence they had at the time, and their recognition of the effect on local residents.

“However, the judge accepted the owners have shown a willingness to change.

"The Licensing Act is a remedial piece of legislation, not punitive, and the council is in agreement with the outcome of the hearing.”