Pub Noise Row: Award Winning Staffordshire Pub Faces Resident Fury

Some people complained about loud music at The Star Inn. They said the noise bothered them inside their homes and one event at a heritage center even stopped early. People could not hear the speaker due to the loud band.

The residents’ association asked for a review of the pub’s license. The pub is part of the Marston’s chain and they said they are working to fix the noise issues. They had meetings and monitored noise levels.

The pub made a better noise management plan and gave it to the council’s health department. The council added the plan to the pub’s license and gave a warning about future events.

The pub must now give residents notice before events 14 days beforehand via email and residents need contact info to report problems. Many villagers support the pub and its landlady.

The residents’ association chair spoke about the issue. He likes the pub itself and the landlady, Ally, but the problem is the outside music, he explained. The residents have lived there for many years.

He said the pub changed in the last seven years, ignoring and not consulting residents. Stages went up with loud music and outside TVs. They want the outside music to stop.

A document stated attempts to fix things failed, with the staff reportedly saying “we’ve got a license.” Nearby children could not sleep from the loud music, even with closed windows.

The Heritage Centre faced issues too; the noise interfered with a visiting speaker. Members could not hear, so the event had to stop, causing the historical society’s leader to complain.

Michelle Hazlewood spoke for Marston’s at the hearing, saying they take the concerns seriously. Ally Heath has run the pub since 2017 and there were no complaints until last summer.

Ally served in the military and is very disciplined. She has tried to improve the business after Covid and continued to have bands in a sensible way, she explained.

She admitted problems occurred, such as during the Euros and Ally had become known for Sunday music events. The pub supports the community, fundraises and received an award.

Ally contacted the council about noise complaints and sent apology letters to nearby homes. One band played too loud during an event and it was their last time playing there.

Marston’s attended a residents’ meeting and Ally felt upset hearing their stories. They created a better noise plan with the health department and believe they can manage noise well now.