Ever had a neighbour complain about your garden party? Imagine a whole pub’s beer garden shut down! Residents in Torrance raised a stink (literally, about smoke and foul language) leading to The Wheatsheaf’s outdoor area being banned. Was it fair play, or an overreaction?
A local pub’s popular beer garden in Torrance, East Dunbartonshire, has been permanently banned from operating following a contentious trial period, sparking a debate between residents and patrons. The decision, made by the East Dunbartonshire Council’s licensing board, came after a barrage of complaints regarding noise, smoking, and the use of foul language emanating from the outdoor drinking area. This ruling highlights the delicate balance local businesses must maintain between community enjoyment and residential peace.
The Wheatsheaf, owned by the Punch group, initially received permission to run the beer garden on a temporary basis throughout May, June, and July. While the facility garnered significant praise from many customers, including some immediate neighbours who appreciated the ambiance and staff efforts, it simultaneously ignited a fierce opposition from other local residents. This trial period became a flashpoint for community disagreements over public amenity and private disruption.
Key objections centered on disturbances caused by the beer garden’s operation. Residents reported experiencing excessive noise pollution, the pervasive smell of smoke drifting into their private gardens, and most significantly, their children being exposed to inappropriate and foul language from some patrons. These issues underscored a perceived breach of peace, leading to growing tensions within the quiet Torrance community.
The fate of the beer garden rested on a lengthy and highly anticipated hearing before the licensing board. During these proceedings, a diverse array of voices was heard, showcasing a clear division within the community. Supporters lauded the beer garden as a valuable community asset and a significant improvement to the pub, praising the diligence of staff and their efforts to promote neighbourly respect. Conversely, objectors argued vehemently that the disruption was intolerable and that the facility should not be allowed to continue.
Curiously, both local police, who conducted multiple inspections, and the licensing standards officer (LSO), who visited seven times, lodged no formal objections to the beer garden’s continued operation. However, the LSO’s report did acknowledge certain complaints and verified four instances of patrons remaining past the 8 pm curfew, caught on CCTV. Despite these minor breaches, the LSO suggested that continued operation was feasible with stricter conditions, including an 8 pm cut-off, table service only, no music, and robust CCTV monitoring.
In an attempt to address concerns and secure the beer garden’s future, a representative for The Wheatsheaf’s applicant proposed accepting most of the suggested new conditions, including a tightened last orders time of 7:30 pm. They also challenged the validity of some complaints, citing a lack of police objections and robust support from many residents. The pub’s defence argued against a ban on glass drinking vessels, seeking parity with other local establishments.
Despite the pub’s efforts to compromise and the lack of official objections from enforcement bodies, the licensing board ultimately voted narrowly against extending the trial and making the beer garden a permanent fixture. The final conditions imposed included the 7:30 pm last orders, a prohibition on glass drinking vessels in the outdoor area, and a requirement for a full planning application—effectively ensuring the current beer garden operation ceases, marking a significant outcome for the Torrance local news scene.
