A pub will be able to host outdoor music events again – six years after noise complaints resulted in a ban.

The Jolly Potters in Hartshill has been granted a variation to its licence which will allow it to host live and recorded music in its beer garden, and serve alcohol from an outdoor bar.

A condition on the licence barring outdoor music was imposed in 2019, following a review by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

Current tenants James Elliot and Kirsty Fradley, who took over the pub in April, have hosted a number of outdoor music events this year using temporary event notices (TENs).

Venue owner Star Pubs subsequently applied to the council for a permanent change to the licence. Two local residents and ward councillor Shaun Pender objected to the application, raising concerns that it could result in further noise problems.

Solicitor George Domleo, representing Star Pubs, acknowledged that the Jolly Potters had a 'chequered history' but blamed the previous issues on a 'rogue tenant'. He told the licensing sub-committee that the fact there had been only two noise complaints since April proved the new operators had sufficient control measures in place.

Mr Domleo said: "We fully accept and understand why this condition licence was placed on the premise in 2019. But this was six years ago and we submit that the licence in its current form is not fit for purpose.

"I'm sure we all agree that pubs need to evolve and require ongoing investment to ensure they keep pace with changing consumer needs. These are very difficult times for the hospitality sector. I submit that we should do everything we can to support the right licensed premises and the right operators.

"We fully accept that local residents do not wish the pub to return to its previous failings in 2019 – that is something that none of us want."

Mr Elliot, an army veteran, told the sub-committee that the pub would host music such as country and western, rather than the 'raves' that had caused problems before, insisting that he wanted to work with local residents.

He said: "I can understand residents' concerns – what they had to go through was horrendous. I wouldn't want to live under those conditions. But I want that pub to be something for the local community. We won't have people dragging the pub down. We have standards for what sort of clientèle we want.

"For the events outside we're looking at country and western, northern soul – music that doesn't promote a certain clientèle."

Vicarage Road resident Adrian Steele, one of the objectors, asked for guarantees that future operators would not be able to create the same noise problems as before.

He said: "Should the committee consider changing the existing licensing conditions put in place in 2019 as a result of noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour, guarantees need to be put in place that are beyond James and Kirsty's gift.

"If James and Kirsty decide to move on in 12 months' time, what guarantees are we given that the type of tenant we had in 2019 won't be installed by Star Pubs, and we have to go through all this process again? It's about confidence."

Cllr Pender added: "I've been encouraged by what's been said, but we need those backstops. It's about compromise. They've shown that they're prepared to compromise, and the community have shown that they're prepared to compromise.

"Nobody wants to see a pub standing there empty. It's a community facility."

Mr Domleo gave assurances that Star Pubs would not want to risk further licensing reviews by handing the pub to an irresponsible tenant.

Sub-committee members agreed to grant the requested licence variation. The Jolly Potters will now be able to play live and recorded music in its beer garden until 8pm, serve alcohol from the outdoor bar until 9pm, and allow drinkers to use the beer garden until 10pm.

The Jolly Potters recently hit the headlines after the city council threatened enforcement actions over a new 'poppy red' paint scheme which breached conservation area planning rules. The pub has since been repainted white.