Arts venue gets time to stop noise

AN arts venue and a group of local residents have been given six months to settle a dispute about noisy drinkers.

Householders near the Roxy Art House in the city centre said people hang around the area for hours after the venue closes at weekends.

While management at the converted church said they had done all they could to cater for locals, several individuals remain unhappy.

The venue, which has bar facilities open until 1am, was called in front of the council's licensing board earlier this week to answer the claims.

Councillors heard how management had organised meetings, employed new door staff and installed sound-proofing in a bid to appease neighbours.

Maureen Calder, a resident, said: "The situation is getting worse and worse. The customers are not moving away from the area and hanging around for two, three and sometimes four hours."

However, licensing leader Cllr Marjorie Thomas urged the two groups to resolve the matter through mediation, and wait until the impact of the festival had passed.

The case will be heard again in six months' time.