Green Light Given For Event Space At St Leonards Pub

A St Leonards pub has been granted planning permission to continue using a space at the back of the building as an events venue.

Hastings Borough Council’s planning committee approved the application from the Horse and Groom in Mercatoria this week.

The former workshop area has been hosting occasional live music and theatre performances for several years, but the pub needed formal permission to keep using it as an event space.

Some nearby residents had raised concerns about noise.

A previous application was refused in 2014 due to soundproofing issues.

Planning officers said the venue still needs better sound insulation, but recommended approval with conditions to manage noise levels. Councillors agreed unanimously.

Event use will now be limited to between 8am and 11pm, and emergency exit doors must not be held open or used by customers except in emergencies.

The pub will also need to improve the roof and ceiling structure and carry out extra sound testing before events can begin.

Independent councillor John Cannan said the venue would support Hastings’ live music scene, praising small spaces like this for giving performers somewhere to play.

Full details can be found under application HS/FA/25/00097 on Hastings Borough Council’s website.