Rural Surrey pub to close after midnight despite concerns it could 'detract' from the village's 'special character and tranquillity'

The Plough in Effingham can now serve alcohol until midnight, with guests getting half an hour of drink up time before heading out.

The taproom chain run by Punch Pubs applied to extend its licensing hours for selling drinks from 11pm to midnight, with a closing time of 12:30 on Fridays and Saturdays. While the change drew concern from at least seven villagers, members of Guildford Borough Council licensing committee gave the go ahead on March 13.

“This is not an application to turn a pub into a disco,” the pub’s solicitor said. He told the committee extending the hours to play recorded music and serve drinks was to give the pub “some more flexibility” to hold occasional events and not “kick people out” who want to have one last drink. Opening hours will also jump forward from 11am to 9am in the morning. Tea, coffee and breakfast would be on offer for parents after the school run, the application said.

After huge investment, The Plough opened its doors at the start of February to show Effingham its new look as a ‘premium food’ pub. “With around 150 pubs a month closing,” the solicitor said, “there’s reason to celebrate people investing into the hubs of the community.”

But not everyone was convinced keeping the alcohol flowing for longer was a good idea. “Increased footfall and traffic could detract from the special character and tranquillity of the area,” said one resident. She added it may result in people being a public nuisance, “anti-social parking” and speeding.

Residents noted there is no footpath outside the inn on either side of the road, which is also “narrow, unlit” and where even moonlight is blocked by trees. They raised concerns that people leaving the pub after a late night of revelry and drinking could be at a greater risk of harm from cars as they spill onto the road.

Liz Hogger, speaking at the meeting, said she was worried closing at midnight would “attract a different sort of clientele driving to the pub”. She said it “doesn’t seem reasonable for residents in a quiet rural village” to hear rowdy people leaving the pub from their bedroom windows.

But Ms Hogger, Chair of Effingham Parish Council, said she “really regrets” stepping in to object to a “very well used and valued” pub extending their licensed hours. Ms Hogger said The Plough has been on the site for over a hundred years and she wants to see it thrive”.

Responding to concerns, the applicant said it will close the pub garden at 11pm to manage the noise. But councillors were not keen for smokers to still be able to go outside and asked the pub to reconsider.

Other conditions included not playing live music past 11pm, signposting around the pub to ask people to leave quietly to respect neighbours and using a complaints log book to make sure issues are addressed. The solicitor assured the committee that there would be enough staff to monitor outside areas.

Neither Surrey Police nor any of the other relevant authorities had anything to say about the changes. Guildford council can still review the pub’s license at any time if concerns or complaints are brought forward.