A council is investigating a breach of licensing conditions in respect of a town centre bar and has issued the premises with a noise nuisance abatement notice.

Hustle Bar in Water Street, Accrington, was issued with the notice on July 21 following a number of noise nuisance complaints in relation to music coming from the bar.

It is believed several businesses and residents in Avenue Parade, Whalley Road and Water Street have made complaints to the council about the noise from Hustle Bar, which could be heard out of hours.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “A bar opened in a residential area (even if it is a town centre) and the owner is expecting everyone else to make accommodations for him.

“They have made comments about us moving to a quieter area and these are quite frankly ridiculous, as we did not have noise issues before they started operating as an outdoor music venue. 

“In their initial planning proposal before the bar was opened, they stated: ‘without amplified music, fruit machines or television it will feel like a small country pub despite its town centre location’.

“This is initially why we did not object to the planning when presented with it. In the first year we had no issues with the bar.

“After Covid though, the bar has developed into a nightclub with extremely loud outdoor dance music in a marquee on the weekends and Facebook posts that encourage cheap cocktails and binge drinking.

"It’s far from a micropub ‘attractive to discerning drinkers out for a quiet pint or two’.

“In all my emails to the council, I stated that I had no issue with the bar, as in the winter when the windows are closed and outdoor events are not happening there is no noise nuisance, but during the summer we are unable to open our windows and genuinely have to sleep with earplugs as the bass from the outdoor area reverberates through our property.”

Hustle Bar was approached for comment but did not respond before deadline.

However, the owners of the bar have posted on Facebook since the issues arose, with the latest post informing customers their “marquee area is no longer available, and the balcony is no longer in use” until they can sort a resolution with Hyndburn Council.

They also stated the doors will be kept locked and closed until a resolution is reached with the licensing department and have asked all customers entering and leaving the bar to respect their surrounding neighbours and keep the noise to a minimum.

The bar has since deleted other Facebook posts regarding their issues with their neighbours and the council.

A spokesperson at Hyndburn Borough Council said: “The Environmental Protection Department has received a number of noise nuisance complaints resulting from music played at Hustle Bar, 6 Water Street and associated neighbouring rear yard at 10 Water St. It is the statutory duty of the council to investigate such complaints.

“On July 15 an officer, who was working on the out of hours night time noise service, responded to a complaint received and subsequently witnessed music noise in a residential property which was emanating from Hustle Bar and in their opinion amounted to a statutory noise nuisance. 

“As a result, and carrying out the council’s statutory duty, a noise nuisance abatement notice was served on July 21.

“In a separate matter Hyndburn Councils Licensing Department received a complaint relating to breach of licencing conditions and operation outside of permitted hours. Officers visited Hustle Bar to discuss these matters. 

"This was a pre-arranged visit on July 19 and advice was given.

“Both matters are currently under investigation.”