Nightclub told to turn it down

Hotel Metropole manager Shawn Noyes is working hard to keep noise levels down at the hotel’s nightclub. Photo: File

HOTEL Metropole’s new nightclub Unity wasn’t a hit with everyone with the council called in to investigate noise complaints.

The upstairs nightclub, formerly known as Bliss, was renamed and relaunched last Friday night at the historic Top of Town pub.

Previous nightclubs at the Metropole were greeted with protests from nearby residents.

Inner city Councillor Andrew Antoniolli said he was disappointed that Unity started on such a discordant note.

“We started to hear complaints at the weekend when they restarted the nightclub,” Cr Antoniolli said yesterday.

“Young people need a place for entertainment but those in close proximity need their peace protected.”

He said the council set down strict guidelines for the nightclub.

They included:

- Before 10pm noise inside must not exceed 103 decibels (dB) when measured three metres from the source of the noise

- After 10pm noise must not exceed 100 dB 3m from the source

- All amplified noise must pass through a sound-limiting device and it must have a locking mechanism

- No amplified noise on upstairs balconies or verandas

- Noise at houses close to the nightclub could not be more than 5dB over normal background noise and after 10pm that dropped to 3dB.

“If they don’t sign off on the agreement, any continuation of the nightclub would result in enforcement action,” Cr Antoniolli said. “That could include prosecution.”

The new manager of Hotel Metropole Shawn Noyes said he was working hard to satisfy the council’s noise guidelines.

“As I’ve only taken over as manager recently I wasn’t aware there was an agreement with the council. I was just going off the liquor licensing agreement,” Mr Noyes said.

“Obviously we have to abide by the council rules. We do have a noise limiter, we also replaced the big speakers with smaller ones so it sort of compresses the sound and we’ve also done insulation and sound-proofing.

“I want to create a safe and friendly entertainment venue for people of all ages.”