THE people behind one of the most unique bars in Reading with its own pool and ‘beach bar’ area have found out whether they can keep its garden open for longer.
The Jolly Anglers on The Kennet Side is owned by Susan Bates and run by Xhemail Zeqiri and manager Valentina Filip.
Since 2011, the pub has had to completely shut its garden by 9.30pm, which effectively means staff have to start to move people out at 9pm.
Therefore they applied to keep the garden open until 11pm each night, which became the subject of firm debate over numerous crime reports and noise complaints.
A council licensing hearing took place to decide whether the garden could stay open longer today (Tuesday, November 8).
Bill Donne of Silver Fox Consultants, representing The Jolly Anglers said: “The intention is that we can use the garden and play music each night of the week.
“The pandemic has changed the way pubs operate.
“Pubs have to use their gardens to the fullest extent they can, with due consideration so as to not disturb the neighbours.
“We want to use this garden as a garden.”
He added that pubs all over Reading have gardens that are open until 11pm.
Objecting, PC Declan Smyth argued a number of serious incidents had occurred at the pub, and having it open longer would contradict the licensing objective of preventing crime and disorder.
From 2018-2022, were three drug reports, six fight reports, three reports of a sexual nature, four firework reports and two incidents involving guns.
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However, Mr Donne cast doubt over whether the incidents were explicitly linked to The Jolly Anglers.
In August 2021, a man was reportedly seen waving a shotgun at the pub. Later that day, people attending a party at the pub were involved in a fight in Hosier Street which resulted in a stabbing and incident of Actual Bodily Harm.
Mr Donne pointed out the serious incident happened in the town centre, rather than the pub itself.
There were also complaints about discarded NOS cannisters, with Mr Donne calling the the Kennet Side ‘a Mecca area for crime and disorder’.
Others objected to noise experienced during big parties in the garden, which were allowed by the council after The Jolly Anglers received permission for temporary events.
But Mr Donne argued the noise complaints were only made by two people, Dr Joanna Brown and a former employee, Dan Shockley, both neighbours who were present at the meeting.
Although they supported quieter events such as comedy and quizzes at The Jolly Anglers, they both argued DJ and music events caused a disturbance.
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Dr Brown said: “We can hear a bassline in the house. It does become quite intrusive. We can’t drown it out with the TV.”
Mr Shockley added: “Where complaints have been made, it’s because of excessive noise and the disturbance associated with that.”
He admitted that he had a ‘falling out’ with Mr Zeqiri during one of the events which led him to end his employment there.
Rebecca Moon, senior environmental health officer, argued Mr Zeqiri is trying to turn the pub into a nightclub, which is causing a noise disturbance to neighbours.
She said: “The last thing the neighbours need is a worsening of the current situation.”
Meanwhile, licensing officer Robert Smalley stated that 17 noise complaints were recorded, and the existing garden closure of 9.30pm established in 2011 is appropriate.
Mr Smalley said: “Although the innovative approach to the pub garden that Mr Zeqiri has undoubtedly been popular.
“The opinion in 2011 was these safeguards are needed in place to protect against public nuisance.
“Those safeguards are still appropriate.”
Ultimately, The Jolly Anglers won permission to keep the garden open until 11pm each night, but no amplified live or recorded music can be played there after 9pm.
The decision was made by Labour councillors Paul Woodward (Church). Deborah Edwards (Southcote) and Glenn Dennis (Kentwood).
Mr Donne said he was “delighted” with the result, and Mr Zeqiri said “it’s all good” and was welcome news on his birthday.
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