Patching Inn Fined for Repeated Noise Complaints

The operators of The Fox Inn in Patching, West Sussex, have been fined after being found guilty of breaching a noise abatement notice on four occasions.

The breaches led to a court case where the pub was ordered to pay a total of £3,560, including fines, legal costs, and a victim surcharge.

Arun District Council initially issued the noise abatement notice in September 2022 following complaints from local residents about ongoing disturbances caused by the pub. Despite this, noise issues persisted, prompting the council to review the pub’s licence in March 2023. An appeal by the pub’s operators against the licence review determination was unsuccessful, resulting in a trial at Brighton Magistrates’ Court.

Following the court ruling, The Fox Inn must now comply with stricter licensing conditions aimed at reducing noise impacts. These measures include restrictions on live and recorded music in outdoor areas until an independent acoustic independent acoustic report, a noise management plan to be approved by environmental health.