London Pub Confronts Second License Review Amid Resident Noise Complaints
The Globe pub, situated on Marylebone Road in London, is undergoing a second license review following persistent complaints from a local resident regarding excessive noise and patrons congregating on the pavement late at night. According to documents submitted to Westminster City Council, the unnamed resident reported multiple incidents between August and November of last year, where customers were observed "loitering and making noise" outside the establishment after midnight.
Resident's Persistent Complaints and Evidence
The resident, who has lodged several applications for license reviews, provided photographic evidence to the council, capturing groups of drinkers outside the pub in the early hours. Images from August 29 show a crowd at 12:03 AM, while others from September 21 and November 30 depict individuals near a stairwell to an underpass, apparently beyond the pub's courtyard area. In one instance, the resident even filed a complaint from their bed, highlighting the disruption caused by the late-night activities.
In a written submission, the resident argued, "Clearly, if the pub is unwilling to prevent their patrons from making a noise nuisance despite the previous hearing and the sanctions put on them, then the only solution to prevent any more noise nuisance is to curb their licensing hours to ensure their patrons would have vacated the neighbourhood by 12am."
Pub's Response and Previous Sanctions
Greene King, the owner of The Globe, responded via email from the chief executive's office, stating that they are complying with licensing requirements but are unable to control areas not under their ownership. The email explained, "We are unable to move people away from the area that is not within our ownership. It is a busy junction and people do loiter in the area for transport links or simply just to chat. We appreciate this may be frustrating, but unfortunately, it is out of our control."
This review follows a previous license amendment in November 2024, where the pub was mandated to maintain a complaints log, prevent customers from obstructing the public highway or causing a nuisance outside, develop an external area management plan, and implement a dispersal policy to ensure patrons leave "quickly and quietly." Additionally, loudspeakers were prohibited from being placed near entrances, exits, or outside the building.
Community Support and Council Decision
Two other residents have voiced support for the review, with one noting, "I live nearby The Globe and they allow their customers to be noisy and unruly beyond their license hours. The anti-social behaviour of their patrons even makes it intimidating walking past The Globe late at night to get home." Another cited regular issues with raised voices and loitering during late-night dispersals.
Despite these complaints, Westminster City Council's environmental health team offered "no observations" regarding noise or crowd spillage allegations. The council is scheduled to hold the license review on Thursday, February 19, where potential outcomes could include further restrictions on operating hours or additional conditions to mitigate disturbances in the neighborhood.
