A SOUTHAMPTON pub has been forced to cancel more than 20 live music bookings because their outdoor stage has been classed as an "indoor space”.

Corrine Yendle, owner of The Dolphin on Osborne Road in St Denys, has told of her frustration after Southampton City Council said they could not host live music events until Stage 4 of the Government’s road map on June 21.

The pub hosted an open mic night on Tuesday, and an officer from the council came down to check the stage.

The owners had put up £7,000 of soundproofing around the stage, to limit disturbance to neighbours in the area. Back in November 2019, the venue was hit with a £5,000 court bill following a year-long noise row.

However, as a result of the new side walls and roof to the stage, the council have deemed it to be an “indoor area” and therefore in breach of the government guidance.

Corrine said: “We are truly gutted about this, but it's out of our hands.”

She added: “They saw we soundproofed the stage and said its classed as an indoor space now due to the side walls up and we are not allowed to use it.

“Apparently no one is allowed to sit in it either if it’s raining as it’s ‘indoors’.

“They’ve also said we are not allowed live music until Stage 4 of the roadmap as the level of music has to be as quiet as background music."

She added: “This is going to have a massive impact on our pub. As we are a live music venue, the punters come for the music.

“We will play background music in the meantime and hope we get the support from the public to help up get through this, however I’m not sure why we are the only pub now not allowed live music.”

A spokesperson from SCC said: “We can confirm after visiting The Dolphin and assessing the stage, that this area does not meet the definition of an outside space for the purposes of the Health Protection regulations.

“Covid-19 guidance clearly requires music and other background noises are played at a low volume and an adequate risk assessment taking account of the guidance must be completed.

“We acknowledge this is a disappointment but after a constructive dialogue, the premises now understands the requirements and we will continue to work with them to ensure they can operate conpliantly.”

As reported, the venue was fined £5,000 in 2019 due to complaints about noise from live bands performing on a stage in the garden of The Dolphin.

Council environment officers found on four occasions in July and August 2019 the licensee had failed to comply with the requirements of the abatement notice by arranging for live bands to perform on the stage in the garden.