Cutty Sark pub in Greenwich has beer garden hours cut back

Residents living near to the Cutty Sark Tavern in Ballast Quay claim the pub’s garden is frequently noisy well past the clearing time set out in the boozer’s current licence.

Punters were allowed to stay in the garden – which can fit up to 100 people – up until 11pm most nights.

A licensing committee has now decided the pub must make sure patrons have drunk up and left the outside area – which is against the Thames – by 10pm.

Councillors also decided management at the boozer should start making regular checks to ensure outside noise is not affecting the neighbours.

The Cutty Sark has been a pub since 1795, and since 2012 has been part of Young and Co’s brewery.

There have been “several complaints” about the pub in the last decade, from noise made by a quiz night microphone to loud patrons in the garden.

Several meetings have been held because of nuisance noise, but now councillors have formally reviewed the pub’s garden. 

On behalf of residents, Councillor Chris Lloyd applied for the current arrangements to be reconsidered.

He told the meeting there had been an increase in footfall in the locality with increased developments in the area, and that there were elderly residents, young children and teenagers living close by.

Neighbours told the committee that punters sit against their windows, and there is often smashed glass – leading to a new condition to be imposed that outside drinkers be given plastic or strengthened pint glasses.

According to council documents: “The sub-committee’s decision was based on issues raised concerning prevention of public nuisance and noise, public safety, and prevention of harm to children.”

The brewery suggested more staff and training, and posting a manager outside for “the majority” of their time when the garden is busy.

Cllr Lloyd said the patrons of the pub were “sensible customers and would adjust to any change in the times for the use of the external area”.