Published: Tuesday, 3rd July 2018

The operator of a restaurant where loud music was repeatedly blasted out up until 3am was ordered to pay £7,250 following a successful prosecution by the Royal Borough.

Trevor Bailey, the business operator of City Buzz B, was prosecuted for breaching a noise abatement notice on five occasions at the venue in Trafalgar Road. Mr Bailey, who did not appear at Bexley Magistrates' Court for the hearing on 25 June, was find £1,000 for each offence and ordered to pay £2150.70 in costs in addition to a £100 surcharge.

The court also ordered that the six large speakers, two turntables, an amplifier, CD mixer and a large number of vinyl records seized by the Council from the premises must not be returned to Mr Bailey.

The Council received numerous complaints about the loud music played up until 3am at the venue from residents in Trafalgar Road and Orlop Street. Although advertised as a Caribbean restaurant and wine bar City Buzz B had operated a late night licence in its basement was set up like a dance floor.

Despite warning letters, action plans and notices issued to the premises by the Environmental Health Noise and Licensing Teams the noise problems persisted. However thanks to residents calling to report ongoing incidents to the Council's Noise Team officers from the night call service were able to witness the noise themselves.

Following months of evidence gathering the Council was able to build a case against Mr Bailey for breaching the conditions of a Noise Abatement Notice.

The Royal Borough is now reminding residents that it is vital they call the Noise Team to report unreasonable noise when it is ongoing so officers can witness the disturbance.

City Buzz B

The first complaints about City Buzz B were made to the Council in November 2016 by seven residents disturbed by both loud music and noisy revellers at the rear of the venue in Orlop Street. Following further complaints the Noise Team were able to witness loud amplified music being played at the venue on 26 February and 19 March last year.

This culminated in the venue being issued with a Section 80 Noise Abatement Notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. In October last year a warrant to enter City Buzz B was secured and the Noise Team assisted by the Police seized loud music making equipment.

The premises licence for venue was revoked by the Licensing Sub Committee on 22 January 2018 and there is currently an appeal pending.

The defendant was given 28 days to pay the fine which amounts to £7,250.70.

'The Council will take tough action'

Councillor Jackie Smith, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Integrated Enforcement, said: "I hope this successful prosecution sends out a strong message that the Council will take tough action against people who selfishly disturb their neighbours by playing loud music or by creating any other noise disturbance.

"This prosecution followed months of evidence gathering and I would like to congratulate the officers and long suffering neighbours for their work which led to this great result."

Report noise pollution

Call the Noise Team on 020 8921 8921.

Report unreasonable noise issues which do not require an immediate response