Manbar has lost its appeal to keep its regulated entertainment licence, after resident, two floors up made noise complaints.
In a statement released by Manbar, the popular venue’s management said that it had lost against Westminster City Council with regards to its ‘regulated entertainment license’, however it will remain open with its 3 AM alcohol sales license. This means that Manbar will remain in business, without music, despite the bar’s owners spending £25,000 on noise compliance.
During the hearing, Westminster City Council served up their witnesses and the 1 tenant, who originally made the noise complaint. He was the the only person living near Manbar to give evidence.
On day two of the hearing, the Court made a site visit to Manbar to witness both the sound levels within the venue and in the residency, two floors above – at maximum sound level.
Chris Amos, the bar’s general manager said:
‘The bar will be applying for it’s regulated entertainment licence again in the near future with all the stipulations possible to safeguard the venue without causing any noise nuisance. Hopefully the council will grant us back our licence! Also the government recently deregulated entertainment before 11pm each day so we will offering early evening entertainment and currently working out the schedule for this.
‘Many thanks for the support through this case, luckily Manbar remains open – so be sure to come by for a drink.’
Andrew Ralph, Westminster City Council’s Noise and Licensing Manager said in a statement to TheGayUK:
‘An independent judge has today ruled that Manbar has a long history of playing music that constitutes a public noise nuisance and disturbs residents. Westminster City Council is duty bound to address any public noise nuisance wherever it is found, whoever is making it – and that is all it has done here. Last year, the council agreed to a compromise – suggested by the owner – that Manbar’s right to play amplified music would be temporarily suspended until the necessary measures have been taken for it to be played at acceptable levels – levels that apply to every other licensee wanting to play music. After a sound-limiter was fitted, the noise level was found by officers to be acceptable. However, within a week, further complaints were received and the levels were once again found to be a statutory nuisance. The Court found that this was because externally amplified music was being played at Manbar.
The result of the appeal means that Manbar must resolve the problems arising from noise nuisance, as they promised to do. If they are able to do that, Westminster City Council is ready to work with Manbar so that it can once again play amplified music.”
