Song for Guy? - Lock Stock Director Ritchie could reapply for live music licence for Punchbowl pub
Published: 15 April 2011
by JOSH LOEB
A PUB part owned by Guy Ritchie could reapply for a live music licence despite strong opposition from neighbours.
Town and Country Inns Ltd, which Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels director Mr Ritchie runs with Piers Adam, asked for permission to host gigs at The Punch Bowl in Farm Street, Mayfair, earlier this year.
The application was later withdrawn but at a public meeting at the Mayfair Library on Monday a representative of The Punch Bowl attempted to persuade the area’s residents that live music in pubs was “a tradition and a nice thing to have”.
Addressing around 30 people who attended the event – billed as a consultation exercise – Julian Skeens, a solicitor for Town and Country Inns Ltd, said: “If you have two people playing instruments, what would be the problem if you are not adversely affecting people outside?
“If you are blasting out heavy metal then I could see why people would be upset.”
However, Sarah Venkata, who lives close to the pub, claimed there was “no control whatsoever” over the young women and paparazzi she said were attracted to the venue because of A-list clientele, who in the past have included film stars Robert De Niro, and Al Pacino, and pop star Justin Timberlake.
No new licence application has not yet been submitted to Westminster Council by the pub’s owners, who say they will take on board residents’ concerns.