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Neighbours and businesses are calling for a popular pub to keep the noise down - after complaints about 'loud' music blaring from the beer garden.

A total of 101 people have signed a petition after raising concerns about the 'extremely loud amplified music' coming from the Jolly Potters pub, in Hartshill.

They say their peace was often shattered on Saturdays between 1pm and 11pm throughout the summer.

But landlord Mark Evans has hit back at the criticism and says his venue needs to stage music events.

The petition has been presented to Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

Businessman Adam Bowyer says he is sometimes unable to speak to customers because of noise from the pub. Issues have particularly been reported in Vicarage Road and Hartshill Road.

The 47-year-old, from Bowyers Beds and Carpets, on Hartshill Road, said: “I just don't think it is fair. If I played my music that loud there would be people moaning about it.

“At times customers have come in and said, ‘Why are you putting up with that’? It is very loud. At times it has been so loud that we have not been able to have discussions with customers.”

Pensioner William Jones, aged 86, who lives across the road from the pub, said: “It is the wrong venue. It is too close to houses and the events are devaluing my property. That is my objection to it. It wants stopping.

“I use the pub and go in for a pint. But it is not the place for a rave.”

Landlord Mark has been running the venue with his partner, Jo Berry, aged 47, for three-and-a-half years. The 53-year-old says action has been taken to tackle the noise.

Mark said: “We have done so much work to block the noise. We have worked with the police, the fire officer and the council - we are doing more than is required.

“We have done this work at our own personal cost. When we have events on we have sound curtains and we never go past 11pm. We have specialist sound proofing and we would be happy to put a noise limiter on it.

“We have four bouncers and everybody is searched. We have no trouble whatsoever and have a zero-tolerance policy to drugs, underage drinking and violence. The police are happy with what we are doing. We are not going to keep the pub alive without staging these events."

The pub has agreed to reduce the number of 'daytime parties' next year.

Mark added: “Next year we plan to have just six daytime parties. We are giving them a community pub again. We have said we will have family days.”

Regular John Cotton is a fan of the pub.

The 70-year-old, of Princes Road, Hartshill, said: “Since Mark has been here he has done a lot of work for the pub. The beer garden is all his own work.

"I am not a night-time reveller due to my age but I have always been made very welcome. They have always looked after the local community. It is a good community pub.”

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