Beach hut owners seek licensing curbs on Mudeford bar amid noise and nuisance claims

A licensing review is underway in Mudeford, Dorset, where beach hut owners have formally challenged the operating conditions of The Beach House, a popular beachside bar they claim has transformed the tranquil sandbank into a “Magaluf rave scene.”

The Mudeford Sandbank Beach Huts Association (MSBHA) has applied for a review of the premises licence, citing escalating concerns over noise, public disorder, and the erosion of the area’s family-friendly character. The association is seeking restrictions that would limit alcohol sales to table service with food, remove open-air bar facilities, and impose tighter controls on noise, waste, and consumption zones.

The Beach House, which occupies a remote spit in Christchurch Harbour accessible only by foot, ferry, or land train, was originally an enclosed restaurant before a fire in 2018 led to its temporary reconstruction using shipping containers. Critics argue that the temporary setup has become permanent in all but name, with outdoor picnic benches and open-air service contributing to what some describe as a “drinker’s paradise”.

Beach hut owners—whose properties can fetch up to £500,000—have reported instances of foul language, public urination, and intoxicated individuals loitering on private decking. One owner, Suzie Bath, lamented the shift from a “fantastic” upmarket venue to a nightly “festival-like atmosphere,” adding that the noise disrupts her young child’s sleep.

Others expressed fears about safety and the degradation of the sandbank’s natural beauty. “It now often feels like an Ibiza rave,” said Huggins, while Owen described witnessing vomiting and arm-wrestling near children queuing for ice cream.

However, the bar’s owner, Kim Slater, has pushed back against what he calls “blatant snobbery” and a “witch hunt.” He maintains that The Beach House operates responsibly, citing litter-picking efforts, local discounts, and job creation. Slater also noted that Environmental Health had received only four noise complaints in five years, none of which were substantiated.

The licensing committee’s decision on the current review remains pending.

Gary Grant acted for the review applicants, Mudeford Sandbank Beach Huts Association, and Gerald Gouriet KC acted for the licence holder, both of Francis Taylor Building.