Headlines in local and national press often blame noise complaints for the closure music venues. There are times when a venue and its neighbours can’t coexist - but planning and building good relationships can go a long way towards enabling peaceful coexistence between entertainment premsies and neighbours. Noise Action Week is an opportunity for local authorities, venues, performers and neighbours to listen to each other when it comes to noise and create a healthy community […]

Never mind the dawn chorus, at the start of summer increasing numbers of buskers come out of hibernation to entertain audiences on our streets. While their sounds might delight passers by, street performers have potential to cause concern for listeners in neighbouring buildings - shops, buisnesses, homes - who are forced to listen - sometimes for hours on end. Buskers are an integral part of the street scene in many city centres – bringing entertainment […]

In recent years extension of pub licensing hours and liberalisation of licensing for live music has meant that there are a much wider range of opportunities for musicians to perform. However, increasingly, with pressure for housing, and development of inner city brownfield sites, many places where music is played are faced with the prospect of residential neighbours. Many traditional live music venues established themselves in premises in former industrial areas of city centres, with few, […]

Val Weedon, who received an MBE for her work as a noise campaigner is also a music promoter. Val considers recent decisions in managing live music venues near homes. When the relaxation to licensing regulations for live music events was introduced last year with the introduction of the Live Music Act 2012, concerns were raised about a possible increase in complaints. I found myself in a bit of a dilemma, empathising with live music venues […]