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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Singing in a beer garden In Scotland

26 replies

MaggieMagpie1 · 12/07/2020 11:01

Not an AIBU but am asking for advice.

I’m in Scotland and the pub which is at the end of our road has built a beer garden. It actually looks really nice, and we had hoped we could go but they opened on Monday (in line with the Scottish Guidelines) and from mid afternoon to 7.30 pm they had an outdoor karaoke session. I’m not a massive fab of karaoke anyway but it was so loud. We could hear it in our house with the windows shut.

Because it was the opening day, we grumbled about it, and thought it was really Anti social but as they didn’t have anything else over the next few days we thought that maybe they’d been told to keep it down or something. Then yesterday they had a singer, obviously with a microphone and amps. Again from about. 3.30 till 7.30.

I have had a look at the Scottish reopening guidance but can’t see anything that relates to this, does anyone know whether this is actually allowed?

I don’t want to complain in a sense as I know small independent pubs (this one isn’t part of a chain) really need to survive, but equally I don’t want to be unable to have my windows open or sit in my back garden when the weather is nice...it’s not often we have the chance.

And yes, I did know there was a pub there when we moved in, and yes they do karaoke, but inside where it’s not bothering anyone else that doesn't want to hear it.

Does anyone know? I could phone 101 and ask, but I don’t want to waste their time in case it’s something I should know. Thanks

OP posts:
AwesomeTrucker · 12/07/2020 11:09

My local have posted in their guidelines for using the beer garden that no music is to be played, due to respect for the neighbours. Not sure if thats official guidance though.

heartsonacake · 12/07/2020 11:10

Of course it’s allowed. Why wouldn’t it be allowed? It’s during daylight hours.

AnneOfQueenSables · 12/07/2020 11:11

It sounds like a noise abatement issue. You could call the Council and ask for advice.

Nicknacky · 12/07/2020 11:12

This is not what 101 is for, do not contact the police about it unless you are lodging some kind of complaint to them.

Speak to the local licensing at the council tomorrow if you have to.

babbi · 12/07/2020 11:15

At that time of day it’s allowed .

Just the same as if your neighbours put on very loud music in the garden

It’s not illegal but a bit inconsiderate.
I’m in Scotland too...
this last week has been very noisy

Pesimistic · 12/07/2020 11:16

Cant realy see an issue, its during the day and not going on all night, if your realy annoyed about it then you could complain to the pub

WildRosie · 12/07/2020 11:19

I would be ok with it if it was Kenneth McKellar singing The Wee Cooper of Fife or the Uist Tramping Song.

Megatron · 12/07/2020 11:19

I hope none of you or your neighbours works shifts. This would have been a massive issue for me when I was a shift worker.

It's not illegal but it's not exactly considerate.

Megatron · 12/07/2020 11:21

@WildRosie

I would be ok with it if it was Kenneth McKellar singing The Wee Cooper of Fife or the Uist Tramping Song.
@WildRose Or the Wee Kirkcudbright Centipede? That's always been a favourite of mine ... Grin
Mrsjayy · 12/07/2020 11:22

Email trading standards at yourcouncil ask about noise and times, don't phone the police about a bit of 8pm kareoke see whats what first.

maddening · 12/07/2020 11:22

Yanbu, if they want live music it should be indoors, even in the daylight hours.

As always people take the 7-11 guidance as you can make any noise you like 7-11 - that is simply not the case.

One offs you suck up Living near a pub, but regularly - no way. Imo

Nicknacky · 12/07/2020 11:24

Megatron Yes, it would be a killer for them. I’m a shift worker but it’s just one of those things.

It will probably stop by Wednesday. I’ve got a pub near me and there has been some changes which affect us but I’m just delighted they have reopened and I was there on the first day.

maddening · 12/07/2020 11:24

And yes it is through the council environmental health.

Also look at their license, what are they permitted to do. If they are within you can always request a licence review.

Nicknacky · 12/07/2020 11:25

maddening How can they do karaoke indoors just now?!😂

Mrsjayy · 12/07/2020 11:27

Ah. I meant environmental health. It's the first week. Folk will be back at work tomorrow and hopefully you will have a quiet week.

Original poster
MaggieMagpie1 · 12/07/2020 11:29

Thanks, I get that it doesn't seem late...and there are definitely worse things.

I did say that yesterday that I think it would help if I liked the music. 🙂

I am hoping that it'll move inside by Wednesday. And promise I won't phone 101.

OP posts:
maddening · 12/07/2020 11:36

Nicknacky then maybe they should not do Kareoke right now 🤔🙄.

WhatamessIgotinto · 12/07/2020 11:36

To be honest, if it's a decent singer and song it's not so bad, but if it's the fella from down the road caterwauling 'Do You Think I'm Sexy' after ten pints, then that might be more of an issue.

JizzPigeon22 · 12/07/2020 11:38

Pretty much every pub near me have live music outside in the gardens during the summer. Usually starts at 9 and finishes at 11.

Teacher12345 · 12/07/2020 11:42

My only concern with this is that apparently, the main reason theatres haven't been allowed to open, is that singing is thought to spread the virus more than talking. I would think a singer was okay (if temp checked) but not kareoke where loads of people stand in front of a small pub audience, spraying their spit everywhere, including a microphone that is then passed between people.
COVID disaster waiting to happen.

Mrsjayy · 12/07/2020 11:54

I was thinking about performing but couldn't remember what I had heard about singing maybe they are breaking some sort of rule about performing

Infullbloom · 12/07/2020 12:01

Why wouldn’t it be allowed? It’s during daylight hours.

Actually I'm pretty sure there is guidance relating to noise levels with regards to covid. Volume is meant to be kept low to avoid people having to shout and spraying droplets everywhere, same goes for singing. There are also definitely rules regarding pub noise in residential areas, time of day has nothing to do with it. I'd contact your local council OP.

midnightstar66 · 12/07/2020 12:19

The Karaoke I can see is annoying though I could live with it once a week - I can't see why you'd need to shut all your windows and hide inside for a singer - i'd just sit out and listen. You'll zone it out if you read a book or mumsnet or whatever anyway

WildRosie · 12/07/2020 21:42

Nickety nackety noo noo noo...

AnneOfQueenSables · 14/07/2020 14:06

There's always been guidance related to noise levels. I'm just not sure how the Council is managing it during Covid. Pre-pandemic, they would send someone out to measure the volume and then tell them to turn it down if it was above a certain number of decibels.