London pub may have to close early after complaints over laughter

A central London pub has been handed down a new set of noise rules and may be forced to shut early after a neighbour lodged complaints over the sound of 'laughter'. 

The Globe pub, located on Marylebone Road opposite the famous tourist hotspot Madame Tussauds, was issued the edicts after being hauled before the Westminster Licensing Committee.

The hearing before the committee came about after a local resident applied for its closing time to change from midnight to 11pm due to the 'faint giggles and murmuring' of customers.

Official documents show that Michael Zelouf complained over the persistent after-hours socialising of patrons outside of the bar, which reportedly interrupted his sleep on multiple occasions.

Now, following a review of Mr Zelouf's grievances with the Globe, the pub will be subject to new trading conditions until a 'full reasoned decision' on the matter has been reached. 

In the application submitted before the Westminster Licensing Committee, Mr Zelouf submitted a series of WhatsApp messages between himself and the Globe's manager as evidence.

During one exchange on March 15 earlier this year, Mr Zelouf wrote minutes after midnight: 'Can you please disperse the people outside the pub. They are making a lot of noise. Thanks'.

The manager then replied: 'I will pass on to move them on. Apologies'.

However, Mr Zelouf was allegedly disturbed again, sending a further message at 12:21am reading: 'Hate to disturb again. They are still laughing and making a lot of noise'.

Similarly, on March 27, the resident wrote at midnight complaining over the noise of patrons who had failed to disperse after the pub's closing time, with the group 'screaming happy birthday'.

On this occasion, the manager's apologies were met with an angry response, reading: 'This is happening far too frequently. They woke me up again. They are still making a lot of noise'.

Speaking before the licensing committee, Mr Zelouf described his experience of dealing with the noise, stating: 'Imagine you've just dozed off and you are woken up by a faint giggle.

'You dozed off again to be woken up by a murmur from a distant conversation. Would your adrenaline spike? Would you struggle to fall back asleep?

'That's what happens to me each time I'm forced to complain about the licensing after 12am. Each time rendering me unable to sleep before 1 or 2am. Is that acceptable?'

Mr Zelouf's complaint application was supported by Conservative Party councillor Karen Scarborough who revealed she had received noise complaints from other residents at Portland Mansions.

The Globe pub has previously received a similar noise complaint back in 2022 which on that occasion was found to have been the excessive 'pinging' of beer barrels.

This led to the pub agreeing to not accept deliveries prior to 7am.

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Following an initial review of Mr Zelouf's application, the Westminster Licensing Committee has modified the conditions of the Globe's licence until a final decision is made.

As part of these new conditions, the pub must maintain a 'complaints log' from residents which should be made available for 'inspection' by authorities.

A direct phone to the manager must be made readily available for all residents, along with the edict that any patrons in the courtyard be supervised by staff.

An external management plan and a dispersal policy must also be drawn up to ensure that pubgoers leave the premises quietly. 

Finally, the Globe has been told that loudspeakers should not be placed at the entrance, exit or outside the venue.

No date has been set yet for when the final decision on Mr Zelouf's application will be made, but should the committee side with him, the Globe may have to cut its trading hours short. 

Speaking to the noise allegations, a legal spokesman for the Globe stated that council officers have never previously found 'nuisances detected' during multiple visits to the premises and that police had not raised any issues of antisocial behaviour.

'We say this is a good pub, doing good work that is well received....It does not undermine any of the licensing objectives...This is not a premises that merits a review,' he said.

He added: 'Murmuring and occasional bouts of laughter, when did that become a nuisance? I don't accept, respectfully, that that can fairly be described as nuisance'.