Commercial venues and events

Advice on how to minimise noise disturbance when holding events, regardless of whether you have an entertainments licence.

When noise becomes unreasonable

Noise is defined as unwanted sound. Music played at a level you think is reasonable may not be considered reasonable by your neighbours. If Southwark Council receives a complaint about noise at your venue, you will be visited by officers to hear how loud it is. If the noise severely affects the use of the complainant's property, the officers will ask you to reduce the volume to a reasonable level immediately.

Helpful hints

If the venue is a large pub or nightclub where regular events are held beyond 11pm, you will probably need to employ an acoustic consultant. Ideally the consultant will be a member of the Institute of Acoustics or the Association of Noise Consultants. Smaller venues such as pubs hosting karaoke or disco nights may be able to control noise pollution without the need for an acoustic consultant.

• Noise limiting devices for amplifiers - Noise can be controlled by installing a suitable noise limiting device in the premises. This device can be set so that the music cannot be heard outside the nearest noise sensitive property or inside an adjacent building. Devices can be fitted to the in-house system that reduce or compress the power to the amplifier. This should not damage the equipment or create silent pauses in the entertainment. If amplification equipment is brought in by musicians then a cut-out system should be installed to control the power sockets used by the amplification equipment.
  
• Impact noise - this can be controlled by installing a platform floor to isolate the performance/dance areas.
  
• Accoustic double glazing - Noise can also be controlled by acoustically double glazing the windows/skylights, fitting entrance doors with acoustic seals and self-closing devices and acoustic baffling the extract/intake fans.
  
• Party walls - If neighbours with party walls are bothered by noise, you may have to employ an acoustic consultant as even sound insulation may not be adequate.
  
• Customer noise outside - Put up signs asking customers to leave quietly and not loiter outside the premises. You should also instruct any local taxi firms not to sound the horn when picking up from your premises.
  
• Check noise levels outside  - check outside the building while music is playing to ensure there are no other ways for noise to escape.
  
• Be considerate of your neighbours - Don't carry out noisy activities such as taking out empty bottles during times when nearby residents may be sleeping.

Legal position

The Environmental Protection Act 1990

 details the steps the council can take to prevent the continuation of noise. A noise abatement notice can be served on you as the organiser of the event. The notice requires you to reduce the noise so it no longer causes a nuisance; the noise officer can advise you how much the noise needs to be reduced. If further complaints are received and officers return to find the level is still causing a nuisance, the notice would have been breached. This means that you can be prosecuted in a Magistrates Court. Our officers may seize all the music equipment in order to stop the music immediately.