City centre bar in crunch hearing over 'intolerable' noise claims

A date has been set for a showdown meeting for a Liverpool karaoke bar alleged to have caused “chronic stress, anxiety and depression” for neighbouring hotel staff and guests with “intolerable” noise levels. Motel on Fleet Street is the subject of a licensing review by the city council in relation to prevention of public nuisance.

It was revealed last month how the company behind the Hanover Hotel directly across from the bar felt noise generated by the venue has “increased dramatically” causing a “detrimental effect” on patrons and staff. Motel is operated by DGB Hospitality, which runs a number of other bars and cafes across the city centre and beyond, and which says it is "confident that we have acted appropriately."

The business will now go before a panel of councillors on December 9 to determine its future. A spokesperson for DGB said the business welcomed the opportunity to present its account and work towards a resolution of the issue.

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The business had sought to extend its opening hours by 60 minutes to 5am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday but this was withdrawn. In written representations ahead of a previous hearing, which was rescheduled following the notice of review, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said it was of the view the capacity should be reduced to 110 due to the size and flow rates of fire escape routes. The statement added: “Anything above this figure, especially due to the licenced nature of the premises, could result in serious harm in a fire situation as evacuation may not be within tenable limits.”

However, further concerns have been raised about Motel - which describes itself as a dive bar karaoke venue - by the operators of Hanover Hotel regarding issues with noise. In a letter to director Paul Senior, made public by the local authority, solicitors Gosschalks LLP said: “Our client’s hotel has traded continuously for 20+ years during which time they have experienced a succession of late-night operators occupying the premises opposite.

“Over the years they have accepted that being located in the city centre brings a degree of vibrancy, but since Motel opened the levels of noise nuisance and disturbance has increased dramatically.” The representation added how the noise generated during late nights by live and recorded music and “general disturbance” had become “simply intolerable for our client’s guests and staff causing sleepless nights.

“The detrimental effects on management who reside on the premises has resulted in chronic stress, anxiety and depression.” Further objections have been made by members of management staff regarding the noise levels.

In a statement, a spokesperson for DGB said: “We welcome the opportunity to present our account of events to the licensing committee and work towards a final resolution of this issue. While it’s disappointing that matters have reached this point, we are confident that we have acted appropriately throughout, in consultation with the Environmental Health Officer (EHO) and the local authority.”