Residents of four properties near Hove’s Paris House pub on Western Road have raised concerns with the Brighton and Hove City Council regarding noise levels from the venue. The council’s licensing panel, comprising three councillors, conducted an eight-hour hearing on Friday, May 10, to assess the situation.
During the hearing, the panel, consisting of David McGregor, Paul Nann, and Tobias Sheard, listened to testimonies from neighbors, a sound expert, the pub’s owners, and performing musicians. Residents, some of whom have lived nearby for several decades, expressed grievances about disrupted sleep due to late-night loud music and the ability to hear lyrics inside their homes.
However, the panel was not entirely convinced that the noise constituted a public nuisance. The council stated that the area is a bustling city center with numerous licensed and retail establishments, expecting a certain level of noise. They found the evidence of widespread noise disturbance insufficient to declare it a public nuisance.
Furthermore, the panel acknowledged that the pub actively used a noise limiter and conducted regular noise checks during DJ sets. They noted that the existing license had unclear conditions, particularly regarding the sound limiter, which prompted the panel to propose a new condition. This new condition involves setting and approving the sound limiter by an environmental protection officer from the council, ensuring it remains tamper-free and accessible for adjustments in response to noise complaints.
Additionally, the panel recommended the closure of the outside area by 11 pm in accordance with the current license and emphasized continuous noise monitoring inside and outside the premises.
Rowbell Leisure, the parent company of Paris House, was contacted for comment but has not provided a response yet.
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