Soundproofing changes are on the way at a popular live music venue in Keswick amid council complaints about noise.
Manager Ben Gregg of the Crafty Baa on Bank Street said secondary glazing will be brought in and pledged that the “last thing” he wanted was to cause a nuisance to neighbours.
It follows reports from Keswick Town Council members that residents are being kept awake by music, and further concerns about anti-social behaviour from those leaving the venue.
Environmental protection officers from Allerdale Borough Council are preparing to monitor sound levels outside the premises which has proved a hit with live music five nights a week.
Cllr Alexandra Boardman said she had received complaints from other residents and had personal experience of the noise as she lived nearby.
On occasions, she said she had telephoned the venue to request that its fire door at the back be closed – one of its licensing conditions – to stop the din from spreading.
“The music starts at around 8pm and gets louder and louder as the night goes on and causes a disturbance to local residents and guest houses,” she said. “It’s every night except Friday and Saturday. We’ve tried to engage but they have not been very forthcoming.”
Asked if live music at a town centre venue was a problem, Cllr Boardman said: “If it starts to invade your personal space and disturbs people’s sleep then yes it is. “
Cllr Allan Daniels, who represents Keswick on Allerdale, said the bar had also generated complaints about customers leaving and then “vomiting nearby or falling across the street”.
Responding to the latest complaints, Mr Gregg said that was the “first he had heard” about those allegations and that he had no control over what happened off-site.
New doors are planned to keep noise down and also secondary glazing, he said, although he believes just two people have complained.
Someone who lived next door had no issues, said Mr Gregg. But he added: “I do feel the council has picked on us quite a bit since we started. Firstly about the skeleton on the roof and saying we look like we should be on the front of Blackpool promenade – whereas if you came inside the building you would know that we’re nothing like that.
“I just think the council doesn’t seem to like change or something new in town. “
He added: “We’re trying to create something fresh and somewhere people can come, sit down and have some good food, beers and music in a good atmosphere with good service. Almost every single person that has walked through this door has given us great feedback.”
He and his father Vincent spent nearly nine months renovating and investing in the business.
“Open mic is on a Thursday night only and people come, they sing, everyone joins in and everyone’s just having a good time really. The other four nights are just bands.”
