Totterdown is a lively, thriving community, with many taking a very supportive attitude
towards musical and artistic events that take place throughout the year both on public land
and within our licensed venues. Our local licensees take considerable pride in the
community events they run and make every effort to ensure their establishments are well
run, including cleaning their forecourts and surrounding pavements following any events.
Sometimes, however, things can get out of hand and when residents are negatively
impacted there is a need to consider what is best for the local community.
Unfortunately, there has been some concern over the past 6 months or so regarding
activities taking place at the New Found Out (NFO) public house. Local residents have
reported a number of issues which have caused considerable alarm – in addition to noise
pollution, excessive littering, aggressive antisocial behavior and inconsiderate parking and
driving, there has been an increase in illegal activity related to drugs.
Concerns have been raised with TRESA at public meetings, at one of which our Police
Community Support Officer (PCSO) Tomasz Mosakowski attended to offer his advice,
including the suggestion that individuals log complaints online via the Avon and Somerset
Police website (https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/your-area/windmill/). In light of the
number and severity of complaints received, and at the request of residents who fear
recrimination, TRESA has been looking at how best to address this issue in a fair and
reasonable manner. In June a flyer was delivered to the surrounding area inviting residents
to comment anonymously on their views with regards to the NFO, also asking if they had any
areas of concern. Summary feedback was then provided to the management at the NFO and
relevant authorities, and a number of mitigating measures were agreed which for a while
seemed to work well, in particularly with regards to noise levels and late night disturbances.
It had been hoped that the ongoing discussions between PC Brett Worthington, NFO
management and Bristol City Council licensing team would lead to a marked improvement in
this regard. Sadly that has not been the case, and the summer months have seen continued
issues and a rise in incidents which have impacted negatively on the community.
Over the bank holiday, on Sunday 25 August, there was an issue throughout the afternoon
and into the evening with extremely loud and intrusive music being played. Even drinkers at
the pub were unable to hold a conversation. This is clearly not acceptable, and ruined the
bank holiday for many local residents who chose to close windows on a sweltering day or
opted to go away from the area to get away from the disruption.
The Neighbourhood Beat Manager, PC Coates, has confirmed that several people made
contact with the police over the weekend and a number of problems were reported. She
confirmed that the situation will now be further investigated. The intention is to hold a further
meeting with the licensing officer at Bristol City Council with a view as to whether the time has now come to call a formal licensing review. PCSO Tomasz also visited the NFO over the
weekend and will include the pub in his patrols over the coming weeks.
The NFO used to be a very popular local pub, with pool teams and a general mix of people
all getting on well together. TRESA would not like to see the pub closed down, but it would
like to see it returned to a popular local that is an asset to our community.