The White Horse, a gay pub in Camelford Street, Brighton, has had its licence revoked for causing noise disturbance and because of concerns about the way the premises was managed.
 
It is the first time a licensing panel has revoked a licence for public nuisance in the city under the 2003 Licensing Act.
 
Eight representations were made by local residents and the council’s environmental protection team were seeking for the licence to be revoked following an earlier review in March.

Following that review, even though extra conditions were imposed, the noise, and the complaints, continued.
 
Councillor Denise Cobb, chairman of Brighton & Hove’s licensing committee, explained:
“Our ability to review licences gives us the power to protect local communities suffering problems from licensed premises. The council has adopted the government’s tough approach to problem premises.
 
“I hope this decision will send a message to licensees that they have a duty to uphold the city’s licensing objectives, in this case prevention of public nuisance.”
 
When noise patrol officers visited the pub in October, they could hear all the words of Kylie Minogue’s ‘I can’t get you out of my head’ 20 metres down the road, even though doors and windows were closed.
 
Councillor Cobb added:
“Our licensing committee and the licensing panels will not hesitate to take away licences when  licensees do not take seriously their responsibility to the community where they operate.”
 
At first review, premises may expect removal of the manager, licence suspension, trading hour restrictions and a clear warning that the premises could lose its licence if there has been no improvement and is subject to a second review.
 
Brighton & Hove City Council has twice before revoked licences: The Toby Inn pub in Cowley Drive, Woodingdean, lost its licence for crime and disorder offences in 2006 and the Cranbourne News for protection of children from harm (after repeatedly selling alcohol to children).
 
The proprietors have 21 days in which to appeal the decision.