Pub could be shut down after 'numerous' complaints

A pub in a Suffolk coastal town could be shut down following "numerous" complaints made to police, who described its licence holder as being "clearly unsuited to the role".

The Carousel, in High Street, Lowestoft, had been closed for some time before being taken over in December 2023.

Since then, Suffolk Police says it has received several reports regarding assaults, drugs offences and noise disturbances.

Members of East Suffolk Council's licensing sub-committee will consider shutting the pub for three months, restricting its opening hours or removing the licence.

The pub's current permitted opening hours are 10:30 to 00:30 from Monday to Saturday, and 12:00 to 23:00 on Sundays.

John Corkett, a licensing officer at Suffolk Police, said the force had received "persistent reports" of activity taking place "long after permitted hours".

In a document to be considered by the committee, Corkett said a vulnerable family which lives above the pub had had to "endure months of disturbance".

"The tenant reports her health has suffered and her children frequently exhibit signs of extreme fatigue at school having had little or no sleep," he said.

"They have had to put up with loud music, shouting and swearing well into the early hours of the morning, sometimes up to and beyond 03:00."

Serious assaults are also said to have taken place at the venue, and there have been reports of drug dealing, according to Corkett.

In his report, he said a warning was sent to the licence holder in January 2024 but complaints from nearby residents had continued to be forthcoming.

"East Suffolk Council and the constabulary have experienced considerable difficulty in maintaining contact with [the licence holder]," he said.

"She does not readily make herself available for meetings and tends to demonstrate a cavalier attitude to the problems highlighted.

"Of late, she has explicitly ignored advice that was intended to address persistent issues and breaches of the licence."

Corkett has requested the pub closes at 23:00 from Monday to Saturday and at 22:30 on Sundays, and that there be no live or recorded music after 21:00.

He has asked that no curtains or window coverings be allowed on outside windows or doors to "deter lock-ins", and for CCTV coverage to be increased.

Corkett has also asked the council to consider either suspending the licence for three months or removing it all together.

"[The licence holder] is clearly unsuited to the role and has zero regard for her responsibilities... and zero regard for the wellbeing and mental health of those forced to suffer the consequences of her activities," he said.

The council will discuss the issue at a meeting on Friday.

The Carousel has been contacted by the BBC.

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