Selectmen OK Beach Pub's License After New Restrictions Show Progress

The Hampton Board of Selectmen unanimously renewed the entertainment license for Wally's Pub Monday night after receiving confirmation that illegal activity and noise reports have decreased recently at the much-criticized Hampton Beach bar and music venue.

Selectmen previously mandated six changes be made to curb noise issues and increase safety at Wally's after receiving recommendations from the Hampton Police Department. Selectman Dick Nichols said the department provided numbers Monday to indicate calls to service and complaints went "down substantially" after the changes were made last summer.

A seventh requirement for conditional license approval was also added Monday, and Wally's will now have to closely monitor and report its occupancy to Hampton police in order to ensure the business isn't violating state fire code.

There have been concerns from the public about various alleged nuisance- and illegal activity-related problems at Wally's, although Nichols said the numbers show things are improving to the point where the business should be allowed to keep its license.

"I think if you look at those recommendations, I think if those are effectively enforced I think we have a much better situation than what was going on leading up to all of the complaints last spring," said Nichols.

That said, Nichols did add that some residents near Wally's have e-mailed the town to say they didn't contact police as frequently in the late summer and fall because they've "just kind of given up" due to various reasons. Nichols said it's "always kind of hard to know what really goes on," though.

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