Night & Day set to return to court
Date published: 17 March 2023
Countless talented Oldham bands and artistes have graced the electric Night & Day stage over the years. Image courtesy of Ben Smithson
Almost a year-and-a-half ago, internationally renowned music and arts venue and Manchester icon Night & Day was served a noise abatement notice by Manchester City Council following a noise complaint from an adjacent flat.
Night & Day, which has welcomed countless Oldham bands and artistes to its stage, is now set to return to court to continue to appeal the notice.
The two date hearing starts on March 21 at Manchester Magistrates Court.
The judge will then consider and decide whether to uphold or drop the notice.
Business owner Jennifer Smithson is surprised and disappointed that the council has refused to take responsibility for the root cause of the problem.
Said Jennifer: “We believe that the source of this issue is that when MCC Planning approved the building of flats next to Night & Day there was no consideration to the neighbouring pre-existing music venue.
"Consideration of noise was one of the planning conditions specified by MCC Planning department with the developer and is held on public record at MCC Planning portal.
“An initial acoustic report recommended that an additional second report be conducted that addressed any noise ingress from the venue into the flat.
"This report was never commissioned and the development was signed off.
"Within the initial acoustic report the complainant’s flat in particular was identified as being at risk from noise ingress - before the flats were even built.
“To make matters even more incomprehensible, since the abatement notice was issued and the complainant has moved out of their flat, there have been no further noise complaints.
"It's simply unacceptable for MCC to continue the premise that the responsibility for this planning mistake lies with the developer or builder.
"We just want to get on with our lives and our business and keep Night & Day alive for the benefit and enjoyment of everyone in Manchester and beyond.”
Night & Day has recently been shortlisted for a prestigious Music Week 'Best Grassroots Venue in the UK' award and over 98,000 people have signed the petition at change.org to keep the venue open.
Jennifer and her family hope to continue operating and contributing to the local and national music scene as it has done for the past 32 years.
Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.
