Venue in noise row can have live music and alcohol

A planned music venue in Norwich has been told it will be allowed to open, following a row with neighbours over noise concerns.

Norwich City Council last month granted permission for Alma to turn the United Reformed Church in Princes Street, near Elm Hill, into a new 300-seat arts space.

But some people living nearby had expressed concerns about anti-social behaviour and noise.

Alma has now been granted a licence to serve alcohol and host live music performances by the city council's licensing committee.

The former church had been empty for several years

Alma had said the new performance space would offer a wide variety of cultural and wellbeing events, ranging from art exhibits, yoga, organ recitals and showcasing experimental sounds from city artists and beyond.

At the meeting last week, several people spoke in opposition and said customers entering and leaving the venue would be noisy and that it could lead to bad behaviour from people spilling out on to Elm Hill.

Councillors expressed sympathy but ultimately granted the licence, providing a series of strict conditions were met.

These included stopping serving alcohol half an hour before closing and tight controls on noise levels during performances.

Giving a reason for the decision, the committee said there was "no evidence-based reason" to think that a noise nuisance would arise.

Following the decision, Levi de Belgeonne, a representative for Alma, said: "We're delighted to hear the verdict and we look forward to bringing an exciting performing arts programme to such a historical area of Norwich in 2026."