The future of The Pier nightclub at Wigan Pier has been saved after a dispute over noise levels was resolved.
Lennons Leisure Limited, which owns The Pier nightclub, was called to a license review meeting with Wigan Council’s Licensing Committee after residents complained about noise. The club had undergone a licensing review a couple of years ago which imposed certain conditions, the most significant being that music emanating from the club should not be generally audible in the nearby residential homes.
Richard Dawson-Gerrard, Partner at Stephensons Solicitors LLP, acted for owner Darshan Sidhu. He said: “The Council alleged that The Pier’s owner had not taken these sanctions seriously and was in breach of the conditions. They called a review of the licence.
“At a meeting yesterday of the Licensing Sub Committee, they decided to allow The Pier to retain its licence and work with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to install a sound limiting device.
“At all times during the review of the licence Mr Sidhu has worked with the Licensing Committee and local residents to find a solution to their concerns about the noise. He has invested approaching £100,000 on installing a new sound system designed to keep sound leakage to a minimum.
“Losing the licence would have been a threat to the business’s future, and consequently jobs and trade for the town. We are therefore pleased that this issue has now been resolved and Mr Sidhu can continue to operate his business.”
Darshan Sidhu said: “The majority of the complaints came from just a small number of residents of Trencherfield Mill and Canal Cottages and we understand that the council had to act on these concerns.
“We have always tried to co-operate and actively work with the local authority to find a solution to the concerns of local residents, and will continue to do so.
“Whilst it is difficult to achieve a completely soundproof club in such an old building, we are committed to keeping noise levels to an absolute minimum outside of the club and will work with the EPA to install the sound limiter at the club.”
ENDS
About Stephensons:
- The latest edition of Legal 500 ranks Stephensons and the commercial litigation team. The firm has 29 Partners and more than 350 staff in Manchester, Wigan, Bolton, Leigh and St Helens.
- Stephensons’ commercial litigation department handles all types of business disputes, from relatively minor issues to those which may threaten a businesses very survival.
All media enquiries: Lianne Tracey
Stephensons Solicitors LLP
T: 01616 966 229