Fenland village pub has strict restrictions imposed on beer garden

A village pub has been told it can only use its beer garden for events once a month after football fans upset neighbours during the Euro 2024 tournament.

The Buck Inn in Tilney St Lawrence faced opposition to its proposals to extend its opening hours to 1am.

The owners were forced to scale back their plans, instead applying to play live and recorded music in its beer garden on Fridays and Saturdays between 4pm and 8pm as well as permission to host indoor events until 10pm.

However, there was still opposition from the venue’s neighbours, who complained rowdy football fans had created a “nightmare scenario” of noise and disruption during the Euro 2024 men’s football tournament.

Dozens of people descended upon the village pub during the summer months to watch England’s team play on two 60-inch TVs erected in the garden.

This forced people living next door to leave their homes to avoid the nuisance, according to one objector.

It was the first time the outdoor space had been used for more than a decade after the previous owners used the garden for storage.

But owners Ekta and Sameer Patel argued the use of the beer garden was necessary to ensure the business remains viable.

Following a licensing meeting at West Norfolk Council last month, it was decided to approve the application, albeit with strict conditions.

The new rules mean the pub can only hold outdoor events once a month on a Friday or Saturday between 4pm to 8pm.

These must not be held on consecutive weekends.

Children are also barred from the beer garden after 8pm and it must shut completely at 9pm.

Indoor entertainment can take place between 7pm and 10pm.

The council warned that if noise problems continue, it has the power to issue a Community Protection Warning.