800-name petition to keep live music in pub after Noise Abatement Notice issued

Lewis Smith, Local Democracy Reporter

Residents in a Neath Port Talbot town have begun a petition this month in order to maintain live music in their local pub following a Noise Abatement Notice that was issued by the local council.

Residents from the village of Pontardawe have begun a petition with over 800 signatures, after a local music hot-spot was served with a notice from the council following complaints made about the noise.

The Noise abatement order has been given to the Other Place bar, well known for hosting live music acts in the venue, with a sign posted outside the pub titled, Application for Review of Premises Licence.

It says: “Neath Port Talbot Council hereby give notice that an application has been received for review of the Premises Licence in respect of The Other Place (Live Lounge).

“The grounds of the application for review are as follows: Failure to promote the licensing objective of the prevention of public nuisance.”

In response, a petition has been set up to help support the popular live music venue that reads: “Pontardawe has a long history with live music and greatly benefits economically from this tradition. People’s livelihoods are at stake.

“We are starting this petition in support of live music and all the live music venues to be able to keep their licences. Obviously, we advocate the noise be kept within the limits of the granted licence but to be able to do so without further harassment.”

Richie Ley helped start the petition and said he hoped it would help keep music going in the local bars. He said: “Pontardawe, as a place, is known for having lots of live music in the pubs and at our local music festival, and we really feel it adds to the area in terms of night life and revenue.

“As long as the music is kept within the limits and at reasonable times we don’t see why it should be an issue, so we started the petition which hundreds of local people got behind straight away.”

The pub was approached for comment but declined.

A council spokesperson said: “The Noise Abatement Notice was issued acting on evidence and following careful consideration. A review of the licence by the council’s Licensing and Gambling Acts Sub Committee is now ongoing.”