Dunstable mum says her child can't sleep due to 'thudding' swingers club

Residents said the "thudding" noise from the venue kept them awake

A mum said her daughter was unable to sleep at night due to the "constant thudding" from a venue popular with swingers.

Sian Ridgley, who lives near Penthouse Playrooms in Dunstable, said music was played until 03:00 GMT.

She told a licensing sub-committee that the noise was affecting her family "mentally" and "you can't unhear it".

Central Bedfordshire Council heard a noise limiter was installed and said the venue could continue to operate.

Independent licensing consultant Stewart Gibson, who represented the venue's management, told the meeting volume levels "were set by environmental protection and are considered acceptable".

Bass speaker removed

He said the venue has a limiter which automatically cuts out music if it exceeded the permitted level.

Mr Gibson said: "The premises closes at 3am. When management leave around that time, they've heard music coming from a private residence."

The council were told a bass speaker was removed from the venue and thousands of pounds have been spent to improve the premises.

The venue is located on High Street North.

According to its website, Penthouse Playrooms is a swingers and fetish members club for like-minded individuals.

The premise is licenced to play music up until 23:00 on Thursdays and until 03:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

The council's licensing team manager Nicola O'Donnell told the meeting: "The main concerns relate to noise, while another issue is whether the venue should hold a sexual entertainment licence.

"It's our understanding it operates as a swingers' club and doesn't offer the type of entertainment requiring such a licence."

'Constant thudding'

Ms Ridgley said she was being disturbed on a weekly basis, along with other residents with music being played until the early hours.

She said: "We appreciate things have been done, although unfortunately it hasn't stopped the noise.

"My daughter is unable to go to bed without hearing the constant thud. It's affecting us mentally. Once you hear that constant thudding, you can't unhear it."

Tracey Pattie, from the local authority's public protection team, said: "The limiter was checked twice and found to be working. There's no statutory nuisance."

No modifications to the current licence were imposed with a right of appeal to the magistrates court within 21 days.

The BBC approached Penthouse Playrooms for further comment.