Item 6.8 - The Tullie Inn - Ian and Rhonda Fraser Objection
West Dunbartonshire Council · 1 September 2026
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To: The Clerk to the Licensing Board West Dunbartonshire Licensing Board Re: Objection to Variation of Premises Licence – Increase in Maximum Capacity to 420 Persons (plus 342 in Beer Garden) Ref: WDLBPREM/0205 Dear Members of the Licensing Board, We wish to formally object to the application to increase the maximum licensed capacity of the premises to 420 persons, plus a further 342 persons within the beer garden. In our view, this increase is not compatible with the licensing objectives set out in the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, particularly the prevention of public nuisance, protecting and improving public health, and protecting children and young persons from harm. The premises are situated immediately adjacent to our family home in a residential area where residents are entitled to the peaceful enjoyment of their homes. Even under the existing capacity, we have experienced repeated noise disturbance, shouting, rowdy behaviour and anti-social conduct from patrons. We have raised these issues directly with management on numerous occasions and have maintained records of these incidents. On 16 May 2026, we were left with no alternative but to make a formal noise complaint to Police Scotland. Despite these efforts, the problems have continued. Given the existing level of disturbance, we do not believe the applicant has demonstrated that the current operation is being managed in a manner that adequately protects neighbouring residents. Increasing the licensed capacity by allowing substantially more patrons will inevitably increase the level of customer activity, noise, vehicle movements and late-night dispersal immediately beside residential properties. A particular concern relates to the outdoor smoking booths, which are located less than 10 feet from one of our bedroom windows. Since televisions were installed within these booths, patrons have remained there for extended periods rather than using the area briefly for smoking. This has resulted in increased noise, cheering, shouting and, on occasions, rowdy behaviour directly beside our home. Increasing the number of customers permitted on the premises can only be expected to intensify this existing problem. We have also been unable to identify any planning permission relating to the installation of the smoking booths or any previous licensing approval specifically permitting the use of this outdoor area for televised sports. We respectfully request clarification as to whether the necessary permissions are in place and ask that this be taken into account when assessing the applicant's management of the premises. Our confidence in the applicant's willingness to address issues affecting neighbouring residents has also been undermined by previous events. For approximately six weeks, a faulty silencer on the commercial kitchen extractor fan created a constant and oppressive level of noise affecting our sleep and daily lives. Despite repeated requests for the repairs to be expedited, the issue remained unresolved for an extended period. This experience gives us little confidence that the additional impacts arising from a significant increase in customer numbers would be managed promptly or effectively.
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We are also concerned that, as of 23 July 2026, outdoor music systems had already been installed and were being used before this variation application had been determined. We believe this demonstrates a concerning disregard for the licensing process and for the legitimate interests of neighbouring residents. The proposed increase in capacity would have a direct impact on our family's quality of life. I, Rhonda Fraser, suffer from Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), a chronic condition requiring regular periods of rest throughout the day. Increased patron numbers and the associated rise in noise would significantly affect my ability to manage this condition and would have a detrimental impact on my health and wellbeing. We also have two school-age children whose bedrooms overlook the areas affected by this application. Increased patron numbers, particularly during the evening and at dispersal time, would further disrupt their sleep, education and overall wellbeing. In addition to our home, we operate Forty Winks Guest House, a local accommodation business that relies heavily on guest satisfaction and positive reviews. The ongoing noise disturbance from the premises has resulted in complaints from guests and has negatively affected our online reviews with guests specifically mentioning the anti-social noise from the Inn next door. As a direct consequence, we have lost our Airbnb Superhost status, an accolade we had maintained continuously for the past seven years. This has damaged both our reputation and our income. We are deeply concerned that increasing the licensed capacity would further exacerbate these issues, making it even more difficult to provide the quiet, high-quality accommodation that our guests reasonably expect. The Licensing Board must be satisfied that licensed premises can operate without causing unacceptable public nuisance to neighbouring residents. Based on our direct experience of the current operation, we do not believe the applicant has demonstrated that the existing capacity is being managed in a manner that adequately protects residential amenity. Increasing the permitted occupancy to 420 persons, together with 342 persons in the beer garden, is likely to exacerbate the existing problems rather than resolve them. For these reasons, we respectfully request that the Licensing Board refuses the proposed increase in licensed capacity. Yours faithfully, Ian and Rhonda Fraser