Hurley pub hits out over backlash to live music plans

The Black Boys Inn, on Henley Road near Hurley village, wanted to play live music and films as well as serve alcohol and refreshments outdoors on their decking area.

Since the plans were lodged, 84 objections were raised, slamming it as “ill conceived” as they feared a projected 500 people camping and/or attending the events would cause traffic mayhem and “detrimental” noise to neighbours.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Matthew Valentine, designated premises supervisor, who is responsible for the pub’s day-to-day operation, wanted to dispel these fears about what they’re doing and avoid being a “bad neighbour” to residents.

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He said they’re not trying to be a Glastonbury music festival – but more of a small pub garden with live acoustic music and can seat around 150 people.

According to Mr Valentine, the pub commissioned an acoustic report when a gig was being played to see how “detrimental” it would be to neighbours and Hurly village.

They concluded some audibility was picked up at the end of Black Boys Lane closest to the pub – but noise couldn’t be heard anywhere else such as on the residential road Frogmill and Hurley village.

Mr Valentine said: “The [main] road [Henley Road] is noisier than we are to them [residents].”

He also denied they will put on pyrotechnics.

Behind the pub, there is field parking which provides up to 50 car parking spaces.

Matthew Valentine speaking at a virtual meeting

Mr Valentine explained: “I’m not saying I am going to put on a big event – but if I were to put on a named artist or something and I had 200 or 300 people, we would have to get permission from the council to do it and we would have to make the relevant arrangements, so we don’t cause disruption.

“You can park in this field and there’s parking for 200 people. This wouldn’t bother anyone on the lane, but you may get a 10 minute queue at the end of the night.”

In their licensing application, they also wanted to add a camping spot for tourists during the summer season from May 1 to September 30.

But Mr Valentine said that was part of the initial application, which was “accidentally” published by the council including the late hours, but later changed it as the pub won’t be doing it this year and may, instead, apply for a small campsite behind the pub in 2022.

He also denied the pub will have up to 500 people on a night, explaining premises are granted ‘of up to 500 people’ in their temporary license application while their permanent license is being determined.

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“At a push” the pub could house 200 people, including staff, and 300 during special events.

Since over 80 people objected to their plans, Mr Valentine thinks most of their concerns stemmed from the original application that was quickly taken down by the council.

He said: “If I had one regret, it’s that I should’ve really gone out to get more information to the residents quickly.

“And what that meant was there was a vacuum left of information and some people don’t want this at any cost stepped into this with their own narrative – and that’s unfortunate.

“But there has been a lot of support within the local community, and some have said this is exactly what this area needs, and I’m doing everything I can to try and make the other residents who live a little bit closer to us relaxed that we’re not going to be a bad neighbour.”

The Black Boys Inn will have its license application decided by councillors on the licensing sub-committee next week.