Village social club ordered to keep noise down

Brandon''s social club was established more than 130 years ago

A village social club has cancelled live music events after being ordered to keep the noise down.

Brandon Club in Warwickshire was served with a noise abatement notice by Rugby Borough Council.

In a statement on its Facebook page the club's committee said it intended to adhere to the notice and work with the council "for a satisfactory resolution".

The council said it had a legal duty to investigate allegations of nuisance, but would work with business owners to resolve issues.

Steward Mark Evans said the club had decided to cancel band nights and two weddings "off our own back" up to June.

"All we want now is to talk to the council and try and sort something out," he said.

"We’ve always worked with them and that’s what we want to do. If there is a problem we want it solved."

Patricia Nicholls said Brandon villagers did not want to lose the social club

The venue has asked supporters to attend skittles, quiz, bingo and other themed evenings put on as a replacement.

Members expressed their disappointment at the council's actions and said they were determined to keep the club going.

Patricia Nicholls described it as "an asset" to the village. "We do not want to lose it," she added.

Another supporter, John, said: "You’ve got to give and take a little bit.

"It’s not every week they have bands."

The club was granted permission by the council in 2005 to host live music events, with the condition it be "so controlled as to be inaudible within any neighbouring residential accommodation at all times".

The BBC has seen documentation revealing the club was told to improve noise reduction in 2015.

Members gathered at Brandon Club to show their support for the venue

Rugby Borough Council said it had received a total of 671 statutory nuisance complaints across the district between 2023-24 and served abatement notices in just four cases.

It clarified a statutory nuisance was one which had "a significant impact on the enjoyment of neighbouring and nearby properties".

“Compliance with a notice can be complicated and we encourage anyone served a notice to contact us and discuss how to comply," a spokesperson said. "There is also a right to appeal against the notice to a magistrate."

The spokesperson added the authority supported live music and worked "proactively" with business owners and communities to achieve "the right balance".