A PUB has found itself locked in a bitter row with a neighbour who seemingly posed as a solicitor with a fake petition and letter to axe “noisy” garden parties.
Darren Robinson, 55, said he discovered an angry handwritten note on the doorstep of his pub on Tuesday August 25.
Darren Robinson said he discovered an angry handwritten letter on the doorstep of his pub Credit: Kennedy News
Darren said he had hosted just three garden parties over the summer Credit: Kennedy News
The pub owner said he hosted just three garden parties over summer at The Wirral Hundred, yet the letter warned that locals launched a petition over “disruption” concerns.
The ranting writer claimed to be a solicitor and began lecturing landlord Darren, who has owned the pub in Birkenhead, Merseyside, with his wife since 2024, over what type of licence he has and what it allows.
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It continued to threaten the potential consequences of “breaches” – including reduced hours, a ban on live music or even having his licence revoked.
But Darren believes the “ridiculous” letter is simply a “killjoy” neighbour pretending to be a lawyer to scare him into stopping the parties, which he said have been a hit among the community.
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Darren was forced to cancel his latest garden party at The Wirral Hundred in Birkenhead, Merseyside Credit: Kennedy News
The note-writer claimed to be a ‘local solicitor’ who is ‘concerned about the disruption’ Credit: Kennedy News
The landlord believes the petition does not exist and has been made up by the complainant – and Wirral Council have confirmed they are not aware of any petition.
However, the council have since claimed the venue does not have a licence for outdoor music, which Darren mistakenly thought he did.
The pub owner said he was forced to cancel the outdoor event he had planned on Saturday August 29 after he was contacted by the council.
The boozer shared a snap of the letter to Facebook and penned: “We are not here to cause issues to anybody.
“This business that we have built has been a much-needed addition to our community according to many customers that frequent the pub.
“So for us to be told that there is a resident petition to threaten the licence is a surprise, and quite sad.”
In the typo-littered letter, the neighbour urges the pub to “please consider the locals so they can sit in their gardens”.
The so-called “solicitor” goes on to list what constitutes “nuisance noise”, noting it includes amplified music, live bands, DJs shouting, noise escaping the pub and noisy patrons in beer gardens.
It ends on an ominous warning that he better show “some respect for the locals” so that it won’t “have to go any further”.
Darren, from Birkenhead, Merseyside, said: “I was disappointed to receive that letter. It’s claiming all the houses and residents [are complaining]. I was thinking ‘who? Because nobody’s telling me’.
“I think they’re posing as a solicitor to try and scare me. I thought ‘why didn’t you just knock and come speak to us?’.
“From the feedback we’re getting and the fact the pub is doing well and building and creating spirit, everybody’s happy with what we’re doing.
“I just thought it was strange that someone would find it okay to do that. They are a bit of a killjoy really.
“I don’t believe there is a petition. If there was, I’d gladly sit with [the note writer] and say we’re not here to cause you any nuisance or any problem. We’re just here to do business.”
He added: “We’re not doing it to p**s people off or cause a nuisance. Each garden party we’ve done has been a massive success and people have loved it. People think it’s amazing.
“If people were screaming and shouting loudly with obscenities then I’d fully respect that. We would stop that and tell those people.”
Darren originally thought the letter had “backfired” on the neighbour due to the community support he received after posting it online – but he was forced to cancel the latest party.
The publican said: “The local council have now got involved and stated we can not have the event. As you can see from the comments people are saying ‘I haven’t signed a petition’.
“[The individual] is welcome to come in for a drink if they like and enjoy the atmosphere but I’m sure they won’t.
“The garden parties are massive for the community and we get told it’s really good. If I was doing something wrong I’d hold my hands up and have a chat.
“But the points they have stated and the lies they have stated about the petition and that people are fed up is not what we’re being told.”
Many users took to the comments to defend the pub as one said: “Definitely not a solicitor as the spelling and grammar is awful.”
Another commenter added: “They should join in the fun then it won’t be a problem but they’re probably too miserable to enjoy life.”
“That’s the funniest thing I’ve seen all week. A solicitor sending a hand-written letter of complaint,” a third user penned.
Wirral Council said the pub “does not have permission under the conditions of its licence to play music – live or recorded – outside”, but confirmed that they were unaware of any petition from local residents.
