Stanford-le-Hope pub closed after 'noise complaints'

The New Courthouse, in King Street, Stanford-le-Hope, closed on Friday with ‘immediate effect’.

According to staff, it was forced to close by its brewery, Stonegate, after reports of noise complaints – much to the heartbreak of owner Adam Lakey and his staff.

The brewery says support and guidance was offered following a noise abatement notice issued by the Environmental Health officer, but claims this was breached on "more than one occasion".

Since closing, there has been an outpouring of support from the community calling for the pub to be allowed to reopen. 

Shocked - Staff at The New Courthouse (Image: Kayde Lennox)

Kayde Lennox, one of the workers at the pub, has since set up a petition to help advocate for the pub to reopen.

She said: “I have seen first-hand the hard work Adam Lakey has put into building the business and creating a hub for the community.

“We are all devastated by the closure of the Courthouse and I wanted to create a petition to show the support that we have from our community to try and fight the closure."

“Adam and all the staff have worked tirelessly for the past 18 months to create a warm, family-friendly atmosphere and a place for all ages to enjoy good drinks and great food," she added.

“This pub for me personally has helped my mental health and my confidence levels.

“It has created a workspace where I could be happy and loved seeing our regulars and new customers every day.

“The response we have had from customers, since the closure, is just devastation. They all want to know what they can do to reopen the pub.”

The pub has become the heart of the community, even opening on Christmas Day last year as many of their older customers were set to be alone.

The petition has already received more than 280 signatures.

A spokesman for Stonegate said it is working hard to reopen the pub in the near future and a recruitment process is underway for a new publican.

They said: "We would like to thank the former publican for his hard work over the past 18 months at The New Courthouse. However, due to multiple noise complaints from residents, the previous publican was served a noise abatement notice from the Environmental Health officer. The publican was offered support and guidance from Stonegate to remedy the situation, however the notice was breached on more than one occasion."

Thurrock Council is undertaking action in relation to noise complaints but says it has not ordered, or requested, the pub to close.

To sign the petition, visit change.org/p/re-instate-adam-lakey-as-the-new-courthouse-landlord.