The managers of two of Aberdeen’s most popular independent music venues have joined forces to launch a petition asking the city council to protect their businesses from the risk of closure due to volume complaints.
Earlier this week, Downstairs, located underneath the Malt Mill on Holburn Street, was issued with a noise abatement notice by Aberdeen City Council after they received complaints from a nearby resident.
They subsequently found, through testing, that the sound escaping the venue was too loud.
As a consequence – and following a handful of other orders issued by the council – the business partners in charge of Downstairs, as well as the owner of Krakatoa, formerly The Moorings, on Trinity Quay, have started a petition.
This has already amassed nearly 2,000 signatures and asks the local authority to do more to protect “grassroots” venues.
In the petition Krakatoa’s manager, Craig Adams, said: “The UK as a whole has lost some 40% of its grassroots music venues in the past decade alone.
“Existing buildings, which have showcased live music for many years, should be designated as music venues, and afforded a degree of protection.”
An Aberdeen City Council Spokeswoman said: “It is entirely up to venues to decide what measures they take to reduce the levels of noise. All we advise in these cases is that they contact an acoustic consultant who can offer guidance on how to best address the issue.
“In accordance with UK Statutory requirements, Aberdeen City Council must investigate noise nuisance complaints. If noise from a venue is found to be causing a statutory noise nuisance an abatement notice must be served.
“In this particular instance, the company agreed to carry out work which will reduce the noise nuisance for its neighbours and allow it to continue to be a live music venue.
“We have no further direct involvement with the venue unless another noise complaint is made and requires an investigation. Venues do however have a statutory right to appeal to the Sheriff Court if they feel the notice is not justified or unreasonable.
“In 2015, there were about 60 complaints related to entertainment noise and only two abatement notices were served due to music noise levels causing a statutory nuisance. In this particular instance, the company agreed to carry out work which will reduce the noise nuisance for its neighbours and allow it to continue to be a live music venue.
“Aberdeen City Council welcomes live music in the city as it adds to the vibrant and varied social scene, and we support live music at events such as the Hogmanay celebrations, Sound Festival, the Jazz Festival and Celebrate Aberdeen.”