10:00am Saturday 20th March 2010
By Peter Magill
A DESIGNER bar has landed itself in hot water again with environmental health chiefs over loud music.
Fed-up neighbours of The Residence, in Gisburn Road, Barrowford, have deluged Pendle Council with complaints.
Formerly known as Jack’s, it is now run by Craig Bradshaw and Chuko Odudu, who operate a similar venture in Blackburn, as part of the Punch Taverns chain.
Pub bosses had promised to keep the noise down after neighbours comp-lained about disturbances and loud music from the venue. It was even claimed the bar would close until the problems could be ironed out.
But just two days after talks between police, environmental health officers and management, people living nearby complained about further noise.
Now Carmela Lo Presti, Pendle environmental health officer, has called for a licensing review of The Residence.
Following a similar review last October, a number of conditions were imposed on the bar’s licence, including extra supervision by door supervisors of customers in outdoor areas, noise limiters and sound insulation.
Even though some measures have been introduced, they have had little effect, said Miss Lo Presti.
She said: “No action has been taken to reduce music noise levels, as music is regularly audible inside residents houses.”
Nine different residents had lodged complaints about 20 incidents at The Residence, council licensing officials have been told.
An abatement notice was served on the premises, ordering the noise nuisance to cease.
But 14 complaints were still received afterwards.
Under the licensing review, the bar could have extra conditions imposed on its licence or face a licence suspension or even possible closure.
The review consulation period ends on April 5.
A Punch Taverns spokesman said they could not comment in detail until after the review, but said: “It is always our priority that our pubs operate responsibly and serve the communities around them.
“We are working closely with the local authorities and will co-operate fully as part of the review process.”
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