A neighbour is still angry at a pub playing music outside well into the night on weekends in Wokingham after a bid for restrictions failed.
The Redan in Peach Street dates back to the 1800s, and has recently built a pedigree of serving cocktails and hosting DJs after a refurbishment in March 2024.
The bar is allowed to open until 2.30am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 1am the rest of the week.
A resident who lives nearby, Christina Davies, called for the licence of the bar to be reviewed in July last year, which could have reduced its operating hours.
But three councillors chose not to clip the 2.30am closing times on Fridays and Saturdays at a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council’s licensing committee.
Instead, they imposed a condition that The Redan must comply with a Noise Management Plan.
Ms Davies has maintained her complaints against the venue, reporting anti-social behaviour, vomiting and public urination.
She said: “They never stuck to the conditions, even though the council say they have.
“They have been a nightmare for almost a year.
“There was an attack in Peach Street, witnesses said customers came out of The Redan, and the victim was seriously injured.”
Ms Davies mentioned two previous very serous incidents at the end of September 2023 and end of May last year.
The latest reported attack occured at around 2.20am on Sunday, June 28.
Police.uk data from June does show a violent offence was reported near The Redan, closer to the Oxfam charity shop and South Place.
There was also one burglary in Peach Place and one theft in the Rose Street car park. Ms Davies states the late DJ nights can be heard until the early hours from the car park.
She said: “Other people and those on Facebook said it was like a riot. Purportedly the young man received a ferocious sustained beating.
“We are sick to death as residents of urinating in Rose Court.
“Lads walk down here and pee on the walls of our cottages.
“I caught two of them about to do it, I was so angry. I had to shout!
“We’re sick to death of speeding cars, vomit, thudding music and the council keep saying they’re not doing anything wrong.”
A person can appeal a council’s licensing review decision to the Magistrates Court if they made a valid representation, which must be done in writing within 21 days of the decision.
Ms Davies launched a Magistrates appeal, but had to withdraw it due to an unexpected health issue.
She said: “It was making me so ill. They let The Redan carry on playing music outdoors, causing havoc.
“The licensing manager wrote to me saying it’s a closed case. Isn’t that convenient – how on earth can they allow it?
“Residents affected by The Redan have to continually put earplugs in post midnight on Friday and Saturday nights, the most disturbance comes between midnight abd 2.30am.
“It’s purely because they have that licence, no other premises are allowed to have music that late outside, thoroughly upsetting residents.
“I wish I could have carried on with the Magistrates Court because we only get five nights of sleep a week.
“We have a legal right of peace and quiet in our homes compromised by The Redan Pub and it’s behaviour post midnight & the early hours Fri & Sat nights.
“It’s really tough, we as residents just aren’t supported.”
A council spokesperson said: “The premises’ licence was reviewed in 2025 and additional conditions, including noise controls, were imposed.
“The council and its partners have continued to investigate complaints and assess evidence, but have not identified grounds for further regulatory intervention.
“Any member of the public is entitled to apply for a review of the premises licence or apply to the Magistrates’ Court for a Statutory Nuisance Order if they have sufficient evidence to justify either course of action.”
Replying to a message on Facebook, a staff member said: “Thanks, however we have nothing to add. We have assisted the council and the licensing team and stand by their decision.”
