Fate of beloved pub to be decided this week

The fate of a Torquay community pub whose regulars have mounted a huge ‘save it’ campaign is being decided this week.

Almost 5,000 people have signed a petition supporting the licensees of the Devon Dumpling in Shiphay after it emerged that Torbay Council was going to review its licence.

The review follows complaints from some neighbours about noise. There have also been concerns about licensing relating to an outside bar in the rear garden of the pub and a smoking area known as ‘The Cage’.

The council’s licensing sub-committee meets on February 6 with powers that range from doing nothing at all to revoking or suspending the pub’s licence.

Launching the online petition, manager Josh Ballard said: “We believe that our pub is more than just a business – it’s a vital part of what makes our neighbourhood special. We cannot afford to let it be lost.”

And one supporter wrote on the petition website: “If you’re concerned about a bit of noise, don’t move near to a pub!”

The council said it had decided on the review after ‘careful consideration’, and what it said were multiple unsuccessful attempts to resolve the issues over the last nine months.

In the file of reports for next week’s meeting the council claim the licensees have not complied with their licence conditions and have failed to make their smoking area compliant with regulations.

There were also concerns over an outdoor bar set up with a television so customers could watch football.

A neighbour’s comments included in the report say noise from the pub has been ‘a nightmare’, while another says they have installed thicker glass in their windows in an effort to keep it out.

Another wrote: “It’s mainly young lads who make the most noise. It’s not my intention to close the pub down, I would just love it to become the village pub again [with] 10.30pm to 11pm closing, where ordinary people can go and enjoy a quiet pint. It is effectively ruining our quality of life.”