Pub’s Late-Night World Cup Screening Denied Due to Neighbor Concerns
Wealden District Council’s licensing panel reviewed requests on April 15 to extend opening hours at The White Hart on the Green. The pub sits on Church Road in a residential area.
Requested hours and objections
The operator sought Temporary Event Notices to stay open until 4am on Friday, July 3. A second TEN requested opening until 5am on Monday, July 6. Both dates coincide with World Cup fixtures in which England might feature.
The council’s Environmental Health team formally objected. Officers warned that late-night activity could disturb nearby residents expected to be asleep.
Hearing details
No representatives from the pub attended the licensing hearing. The panel did, however, review written material explaining how the events would be run.
Councillor Ben Cox (Lab) queried whether a showing-only request would have prompted the same objection. Pollution control officer Clare Ross said post-match dispersal would likely generate similar noise whether patrons were sober or not.
Panel decision and reasoning
The sub-committee refused both Temporary Event Notices. Chairman Cllr Glynn White (Lib Dem) said the mitigation proposals were insufficiently detailed.
Panel members concluded the submitted measures were generic and lacked site-specific safeguards. The premises’ residential location increased concern about noise both during and after events.
National rules and match timings
The council noted that national licensing rules have been relaxed for the World Cup. The government will allow pubs to stay open until 1am for certain knockout games. This applies when kick-offs occur between 5pm and 9pm.
Rules also permit opening until 2am for matches with kick-offs between 9pm and 10pm. Neither relaxation covered the midnight kick-offs on July 3 and July 6.
Fixture context
The match on July 3 is scheduled for a midnight kick-off. England could appear in this fixture if they finish as runners-up in Group L. Possible opponents include Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, or Colombia.
The July 6 tie also kicks off at midnight. England would reach that game by topping their group and winning the first knockout match on July 1. The July 1 game starts at 5pm, so extended hours would not be needed.
Other approved screening
Council papers showed the pub had submitted a separate TEN for the England v Panama game on Saturday, June 27. That match kicks off at 10pm. Environmental Health raised no objection, so that extended opening will be allowed.
In short, the pub’s late-night World Cup screening plans for July were denied owing to neighbor concerns and the lack of site-specific noise mitigation. Filmogaz.com will monitor any further licensing applications.
