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Sleepless residents wire Guy Ritchie for sound
By Alistair Foster, London Lite Last updated at 13:08pm on 12.08.09Guy Ritchie has found himself at odds with the nimby brigade after cheesing the locals off with the din created by his Mayfair pub.
Quiet day: Guy Ritchie and Mellany Gandara
Living next door to the hottest celebrity boozer in town is clearly taking its toll on his neighbours, who have had sound-monitoring equipment installed after complaining about the racket.
Recorded: the Punch Bowl's noise levels are being monitored by by a Wesminster council microphone (inset) after complaints
The 40-year-old film director could even risk losing his licence if the council decide there it too much noise.
The Punch Bowl attracts huge numbers of punters thanks to Guy's regular stream of celeb pals — everyone from Prince William to Justin Timberlake have popped in for a pint.
Perfect for a night out, but perhaps not so perfect if you're trying to get to sleep next door.
Guy has made a regular habit of holding late-night lock-ins and hosting raucous entertainment like live Irish folk bands. Punters have also been filling the pavements outside during the warm summer months. A source said: “The neighbours are fed up with the racket, which sometimes goes on into the early hours.”
Westminster council confirmed they had received 37 complaints about The Punch Bowl, although Guy has tried to placate neighbours by moving punters inside by 9pm and employing door staff. A microphone has now been installed in an upstairs flat next door to monitor the sound levels.
A council spokesman told us: “Managers at the pub are aware of this activity and it will take two weeks to complete.”
Guy was spotted in a café near his pub yesterday with his new flame Mellany Gandara. It seems the noise fuss hasn't dampened his appetite for romance.
Reader views (2)
100 percent agree with James. It disgusts me that Ritchie, partners and entourage feel they can come and wreak havoc on this quiet respectful neighbourhood. They have absolutely no consideration for those of us living in this residential area. Leaving their seeping un-cycled rubbish out for up to 3 days, until there is a rat infestation. Crowds of people drinking and shouting in to the early hours of the night. Filthying the streets with cigerette ends, empty glass and bottles left in bushes. Patrons urinating on bedroom windows and so on. Turn your own homes and areas into your party palaces not ours. This Pub has existing for 100 years without having to abuse it's neighbours. He and his so called celeb friends should be ashamed and embarassed.
- Maureen, London
What are the odds that his own main family home, where his children stay with him, is on a very quiet street? Or a country estate shielded by land?
Formerly people having loads of money, new or old money, had their jollies and partied the good life in their own spacious properties, town or country. What is it now that the rich, and the royals, crave the Mockney life that they never had. Delude themselves that they're hangin' out like 'regular folks' all around London. Or gettin' down on the mean streets of Mayfair! People are fast losing patience with these types as they trail around their private army's and bodyguards on our public streets. Some of these goons, in escorting their mollycoddled mockneys, behave like the security thugs from China who took over our London streets accompanying the Olympic torch. Crass and off the planet. Money buys private space. Not public space.
- James, London
