'It's never ending': The Golden Lion owners battle non-stop noise complaints which threatens pub's future
Disheartened pub owners say they are tired of fighting a “never-ending battle” after receiving continuous noise complaints which threatens their boozer’s future.
The Golden Lion, in Fareham, was taken over by Tracy Fell and Jamie and Steve Jewell in September 2024. They have years of experience in the industry.
But the owners have said since taking on the pub, they “have had nothing but grief” in the form of multiple noise complaints, resulting in environmental health officers (EHO) from Fareham Borough Council intervening.
Despite taking a range of measures to reduce noise levels including installing secondary window glazing, and introducing sound mats and heavy curtains for sound dampening, complaints have continued.
As a result, Jamie said the pub is on the cusp of receiving a noise abatement notice, which will not only prevent live music, but will also force them to close as they will be unable to operate without live entertainment.
He said: “We have been constantly getting noise complaints - we have done so much to resolve the problem. We’ve put our heart and soul into The Golden Lion but we physically can’t do much more because it’s a Grade II listed building, but the EHO is now saying there’s also a problem with the noise when people enter and exit.
“The Golden Lion is our baby. We love that pub but we are getting tired of the fight. It’s a never-ending battle. Each week, we get a complaint regardless of what we do.
“The issue is the EHO. They are not working with us to get a suitable noise level so we are working blind - we don’t actually know what the noise level should be.
“We have been asking them what is the actual sound level we need to work to so we get it right but they keep saying ‘we don’t use decibel devices, we use our specially trained ears.’ How can you use specially trained ears? I phoned all the other councils and they all use devices.”
A council spokesperson said: “Fareham Borough Council has a statutory duty to investigate all noise complaints it receives and to assess whether the noise constitutes what the law defines as a statutory nuisance.
“Environmental Health Officers assess noise complaints in line with national legislation and guidance. Noise nuisance is not judged solely on decibel levels. Instead, officers take account of a range of factors, including the character, timing, duration, frequency and impact of the noise, as well as the local environment and the mix of residential and commercial properties in the area.”
The Golden Lion owners have now launched a petition seeking support from the community, with the appeal saying they feel the ongoing issues are “becoming personal”.
The Change.org petition has received more than 1,000 signatures, with one person commenting: “We live on the opposite side of the road to the Golden Lion and have never had any issues with noise levels — honestly, you wouldn’t even know the pub was there.
The 40-year-old said he “can’t believe how much support this petition has had” and that “every single person down the high street has signed it bar one neighbour”.
He added: “We just want them to help us because we want to survive. I will take it further, I will take them to court - we are being victimised. The previous landlords never had a problem.”
The spokesperson for the Fareham Borough Council said the council has received complaints from multiple people and that Environmental Health Officers have conducted home visits to determine if the sound levels are disruptive.
They added: “Where possible, officers will attend in person to witness the situation as it would be experienced by the complainant(s). This may include assessing noise from within a nearby property, using their professional judgement and experience to determine whether the noise is interfering with the reasonable use or enjoyment of a home. In some circumstances, sound recording equipment may be used, but recordings alone cannot capture context and are not the sole basis for decisions.
“If officers witness a statutory nuisance, the council is legally required to serve a noise abatement notice. Any such notice carries a right of appeal, which is determined by a magistrates’ court where all relevant arguments and evidence can be considered.
“While complaints have been received and officers have witnessed statutory nuisance on occasions, a noise abatement notice has not yet been issued, and the Council remains focused on achieving a practical resolution through engagement. The council operates a 24/7 Environmental Health service, and officers may attend at any time where complaints are received.”