A historic Victorian alehouse in Hertfordshire faces potential closure due to noise complaints from a single neighbour.
The Rising Sun in Berkhamsted, the last remaining Victorian pub built to service the Grand Union canal, is embroiled in a dispute that threatens its future.
Landlord Mark Granger has found his establishment under scrutiny after a resident moved in and formally complained to the council about noise from customers drinking outside.
The 57-year-old said the changes feel like an "orchestrated campaign to close my business".
The Rising Sun in Berkhamsted, the last remaining Victorian pub built to service the Grand Union canal, is embroiled in a dispute that threatens its future
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The council is now seeking to modify the pub's licence terms to prohibit customers from drinking on the canal towpath, restricting outdoor service to "two small areas".
Granger warns these changes could make his business unsustainable, particularly affecting crucial summer trade.
"I take a lot of money in the summer and that money helps me through the winter. To try and limit my summer trade to that extent makes the business unviable and the council must know that," he said.
Local supporters have rallied behind The Rising Sun, launching a crowdfunding campaign to help with potential legal costs.
The fundraising effort has already gathered £14,000 of its £40,000 target to cover solicitor and barrister fees.
Granger fears the only way to protect his customers' right to drink outside will be through court action if the council attempts to alter his licence.
The pub's current licence permits alcohol consumption both on and off the premises, with Granger maintaining there is no evidence of breaking noise rules.
Dacorum Borough Council has confirmed it currently has no open investigations into the premises.
A spokesperson for Dacorum Borough Council said they have a "statutory obligation to investigate every noise complaint" they receive.
The council confirmed receiving three complaints about the premises between June 2023 and September 2024.
"No formal enforcement action has been taken and we have provided advice and guidance to all parties," the spokesperson stated.
The council added that their licensing team has been working with the licence holder "to regularise a licence condition on the premises."
They emphasised that while there are currently no open investigations, any future complaints would be investigated as required by law.
Granger argues that many complaints relate to incidents beyond his control, occurring away from the pub premises.
He maintains that pubs cannot be responsible for patrons' behaviour after they leave.
"You can't be held responsible for people's behaviour once they leave your pub, otherwise where would it end? We'd all be individually walking our customers home," Granger explained.
