Pub karaoke was so bad a neighbour said it made them suicidal

A beloved pub at the heart of a London community narrowly avoided closure after residents said they were left ‘suicidal’ after karaoke night.

The Pig and Whistle had its licence reviewed by Kensington and Chelsea Council after resident Ray Rose Raymond wrote weekly sing-a-longs were ‘weekly hell’.

But the pub said they only started receiving complaints over the last six months, when ‘they have done nothing differently over the last 10 years’.

Ann Maher, owner of the pub, told Metro: ‘This whole process has cost us – a small business – £25,000.

‘We have had to pay for sound proofing and engineers to sort everything, as well as legal representation during the hearing.’

She said the pub’s weekly karaoke nights have been ongoing for the last decade, and the team have done nothing different to raise any noise levels.

But Mr Raymond said last August: ‘The noise has been so loud that every song can be heard and differentiated.

‘It is particularly bad when a microphone is used and there is karaoke, this is most Friday nights and continues for hours.

‘In a place of grieving I realised I needed time and space to grieve over the festive break from work, and I could not endure the noise any longer. I felt there was no escape.’

Yet locals insist the pub on Bramley Road is at the heart of their community.

The pub stayed open for 48 hours straight during the Grenfell disaster, helping to feed emergency services and store donations which were flooding in.

Aidan Irish said: ‘This pub is amazing and a huge benefit to the community. If you buy a flat next to a pub expect a bit of noise – and it’s not even that noisy.’

Gary Keane added: ‘I bet this person has no idea of all the help the pub gave their to local residents during the Grenfell fire.’

‘I’ve known and loved the Pig my entire life, it always is and has been a place for real locals to gather,’ another added. ‘This pub is the heart and soul of Notting Dale.’

A licence hearing heard applications from both sides, but ruled it should not be closed.

But the pub is now subject to stricter conditions, including a ban on music or amplified sound within the premises ‘to avoid a nuisance to neighbours’.

Those wanting to take to the stage on karaoke night as a group act now have to look into duets, as live music is now limited to two performers at a time.

According to the council, the pub has already been fined three times.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.