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Guy Ritchie's 'noisy' pub faces threat to its licence
Alison Richards3 Sep 2009
Film director Guy Ritchie's pub could face a review of its licence because of noise levels.
Westminster council used a microphone in a neighbouring home to monitor noise outside The Punch Bowl in Mayfair - a favourite with many celebrities - after dozens of complaints from residents.
Its initial results found levels rose when people were drinking outside the pub but dropped when security staff shepherded them inside at 9pm.
The Punch Bowl attracts many star names and paparazzi are often outside.
Andrew Flintoff and his wife Rachael celebrated at the pub on the night of England's Ashes win at Lord's in July, while Prince William, Sting's wife Trudie Styler, X-Factor judge Cheryl Cole, Leonardo di Caprio and Justin Timberlake have all enjoyed a drink there.
Now Ritchie, recently divorced from Madonna, will be waiting to see the outcome of the council investigation.
Steve Harrison, the council's assistant director of community protection, said officers would analyse the results to see if there is a potential nuisance. The officers, or residents, could call for an official review of the licence, he added.
Under a review, the council's independent licensing sub-committee could revoke or suspend the licence, but it is thought that it would be more likely to add a condition limiting the outdoor drinking.
The council has received 37 complaints about noise since Ritchie bought the Punch Bowl in March last year. His managers have already tried to reduce the disturbance to neighbours with the 9pm cut-off time.
They have also introduced door supervisors to help reduce noise outside the pub.
Reader views (1)
If noise could be used as a reason to close pubs and rescind their licences there are a few thousand pubs and clubs in London that should be ahead of The Punchbowl in the queue for being shut down.
- Alfie Albright, Wapping, UK, 02/09/2009 15:03
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