Owners pulled plug after noise complaint
Hundreds of people are backing a bid to return live music to a Cockermouth pub.
The Fletcher Christian on Main Street has had no live entertainment for the last two weekends.
The pub’s owner, Craft Union Pub Company, decided to suspend such events after a complaint was made to Allerdale council about excessive noise.
The pub has been forced to cancel its planned entertainment, including bands scheduled to play over Easter weekend, while the company works to resolve the issue.
Regulars Caroline Davenport and Elaine Gibson were so concerned that they set up a petition calling for the return of live entertainment to the popular venue.
The petition, which was launched last week, has attracted more than 1,000 signatures and, Caroline said, has been backed but almost all the businesses on Main Street.
Caroline, who worked in the pub trade before retiring, said: “It’s an absolute travesty. This has been a music venue for a long time.
“It’s the only real place in town that does rock and blues and it’s got a huge following. It’s been like that for 20 years that I know of.”
Ahead of Easter, pub staff took to Facebook asking people to support the venue despite its problems, and people flocked to make it a good weekend.
Caroline, who worked in the pub trade for years, said: “People rallied round and it was absolutely fantastic. It was a bouncing weekend.
“That’s not sustainable though. Without the live music they’re not going to make enough revenue to stay open.
“We just hope the company takes notice and reinstates it as soon as possible. I don’t think they realise what it’s doing to the pub.
“If Fletcher’s was to close you might as well close Cockermouth, it’s that important.”
Elaine added: “We need it back. The town’s dying and we need something to bring life back into it.”
Leena Barua, another regular, said: “There aren’t many good venues for music left in Cockermouth now.”
An Allerdale council spokesman said: “Some concerns have been raised regarding the establishment meeting the conditions of the licence, so the licence holder has taken the decision to cease any live music until the issue is resolved.
“Our environmental health officers will work with The Fletcher Christian to ensure these conditions are met.”
A spokesman for Craft Union Pub Company said: “Following discussions with the local council, we took the decision to cease live entertainment at The Fletcher Christian pub for the foreseeable future.
“We are aware of the petition to reinstate live music at the venue and would like to reassure customers that we remain in contact with the council and hope to resolve the matter as soon as possible.”
Source: News & Star