Hove: The Paris House at risk after neighbours call it a nuisance

People living near The Paris House in Western Road, Hove, have put forward an application for the council to review its premises licence amid fears it could be causing crime and is a public nuisance.

But venue manager Héléna Marchand fears it could be the final nail in the coffin for the venue and a valued part of the city's music scene.

The Paris House is in Western Road (Image: The Argus)

The Paris House holds licences for its off-mainstream performances and alcohol sales - with a number of conditions including monitoring noise levels and for doors and windows to shut during music events.

Héléna posted a letter on The Paris House's social media pages.

Dear friends and Customers,

 

You might have heard the news already but here's what's happening: some local residents have applied for a review of the licence at The Paris House, calling our independent music venue a 'public nuisance'.

 

We can't afford to lose our licence, and Brighton can't afford to lose another music venue so I'm now kindly asking you to help us fight this.

She told readers to contact the council to demonstrate how much the venue means to them. She added:

This place is everything to me and my team, and I know how important it is for so many of you customers, musicians, dancers, artists...

 

We're extremely grateful for the support we received so far.

A consultation is open until today. It is yet to be decided whether the council will review its licence.

Dozens of messages of support have poured in from punters and music fans alike. Tom Burris commented: "These people are a public nuisance by complaining all the time.

"It causes so much stress to venues and to the public who for the most part love live music and culture.

"How do we complain about the complainers? Brighton needs a culture preservation order on all music venues and event spaces.

"The Paris House is literally the reason I live in Waterloo Street. It's my dad's favourite pub. I can hear it from my bedroom and it makes me think of how lucky I am to live in such a brilliant city thriving with culture, talent and amazing people.

"Sad that a small minority want to remove it."

The venue's fate is now in the hands of the council's licensing panel

Read more: Pub could be lost if new development is approved, warns music promoter

However Jason Frost, who has a friend living above the pub, said the music is so loud "it feels like you're in the event itself" and called on them to install soundproofing.

Others suggested that people should understand that venues make noise before moving in near them.

The Argus understands a letter was posted to residents up to 100 metres away from the venue by concerned neighbours, telling them to vote for a council licence review.

Brighton and Hove City Council said it would not comment on the case - but said a report will be released prior to the licensing panel.