How to prevent a noise nuisance at an event

Use this page to find out how you can reduce and prevent noise nuisances at an event or licensed premises.

Noise from events

• Inform your neighbours of the event you are planning and take on board their views
• Provide a telephone number for residents to report concerns directly to the event organiser
• Point speakers away from nearby residential properties and angle them downwards, if possible
• Do a sound-check before an event starts and set a volume level for the sound system that you won't exceed. You may need to set a quieter level if the event will go on after 11pm
• Make sure the performers understand what volume level has been set and what time the performance needs to end
• Monitor noise levels outside the venue boundary during the event
• If your event is indoors, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible, to reduce noise from escaping
• If your event is late at night, don't allow patrons to use external areas, such as beer gardens and smoking shelters
• Put signs in easy-to-see places asking patrons to be quiet when leaving the venue

If you're planning a large event, we strongly recommend using our Guide to organising a successful event.

If your event is a concert or similar musical performance, or an an outdoor event which is likely to cause noise affecting nearby residents or businesses, you will need to apply for permission from our Environmental Protection team. You can also download and complete the Application form for noisy event permission.

Noise from licensed premises

Location and structure of premises 

Noise problems usually arise where licensed premises are close to residential properties or share joined structures.

To control noise from your premises, you should consider the following factors:

• type of construction and building fabric of your premises
• type, location, orientation and control of window and door openings
• layout and orientation of premises in relation to the nearest residential properties
• types of ventilation systems, air conditioning and vents
• location and proposed use of any conservatories and outdoor seating or smoking areas
• location and proposed use of any conservatories and outdoor seating or smoking areas

Patrons 

You can be held to account for noise problems arising from your patrons, both on your premises and in the vicinity of the licensed premises.

Using lobbied doorways can help, as they are under your direct control and can provide a calming transitional phase between the potentially noisy interior and the quieter exterior.

Requesting patrons to leave the premises quietly by placing posters close to exits can help to rowdy behaviour. Door staff can also assist in minimising disturbance from patrons as they leave the premises.

Machinery, fans and ventilation noise 

• Consider the location of the machinery so that the building structure provides as much screening as possible to local residential properties
• Consider the hours of operation and turn off any equipment that you don't require
• Use silencers, baffles, acoustic enclosures or additional acoustic screening
• Hire a noise consultant to make a noise assessment and advise you on methods to reduce noise
• If next to, above or below a residential property, use anti-vibration mounts
• Conduct regular maintenance of machinery, at least once a year

Music 

• Keep windows and doors closed while you are playing music
• Provide air conditioning to prevent patrons opening the windows and doors
• Provide acoustic glazing to windows, doors and exits
• Increase the sound insulation properties of the walls and ceilings of the structure or building
• Use an entrance lobby with acoustic self-closing doors and entrances and exit
• Provide an automatic cut out device, which will cut out when the noise goes beyond a pre-set noise level inside the premises. The preset noise level should be set at a level that does not cause a noise nuisance to local residential properties
• Use movable barriers or screens for windows facing residential properties

Beer gardens and smoking areas 

• Consider the exact location of any beer gardens or smoking areas to reduce noise disturbances
• You may want to limit the hours that patrons can use these areas, particularly late at night

Deliveries and collections 

• Schedule deliveries or collections during the day, not early in the morning or late at night
• If possible, position refuse or storage areas away from residential properties
• Use careful handling methods and padded mats for items like beer barrels