Blondies’ owners Verity and Sharmaine Cox have said the noise complaints come despite limiting live music to one show a month, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter

A popular alternative bar chain in Leyton says it could be forced to close if it loses its live music licence.

Blondies, which also has a venue in Clapton, is facing a noise challenge from residents and Waltham Forest Council.

Its Leyton premises will be subject to a licence review on the grounds it is potentially “unsuitable for live acts,” according to the town hall.

Co-founders Verity and Sharmaine Cox told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) they had already made “significant compromises,” including limiting live music to once a month and ending shows by 10pm.

They added that, while live music was “only a small part of our programming,” it is “essential to our financial survival”.

They said in a joint statement: “The current financial climate is devastating small independent businesses. Live music events help us stay afloat, but if we lose our music license, the impact could force us to close not just here, but also our original venue of 10 years due to collateral damage.

“We’ve made significant compromises limiting live music to one show a month, ending by 10pm, and actively implementing noise reduction measures, including exploring full soundproofing, which requires a major financial investment.

“Yet, instead of allowing us the time to put these measures in place, we’re being told that removing live music entirely is the simplest solution.”

However, the town hall’s licensing team says the bar is “not currently suitable” for live or recorded music “even at a moderate level of volume” without being a nuisance to its neighbours.

Blondies took over the venue in 2023, moving into a former factory the council says has “very poor or non-existent noise insulation”.

Officers from the council’s environmental health team visited on 24th January, when a live band was playing. They recorded a peak volume of 84 decibels, up from an ambient volume of between 38 and 44Db.

The impact of both the music and the crowd on Blondies’ neighbours was “evident,” the team said, which may “necessitate possible noise control measures”.

An application for a licence review was submitted by resident Ursula Casserly in late February.

She said that issues with noise had “persisted” and “remained unsolved” two years on.

She wrote: “Bevan Court’s architectural design, including its internal courtyard, exacerbates the issue as noise emanating from the venue echoes through the courtyard and directly travels into residential flats.

“This has had a detrimental impact on the well-being and quality of life of the residents, including myself.”

In a letter to a resident dated 29th September 2024, Verity said they would be “doubling down” on sound control after three previous events “caused an issue”.

She later told the LDRS: “We take all concerns seriously and have always engaged with the council and residents to find balanced solutions.

“We remain open to discussions and hope for a fair resolution, one that ensures Leyton doesn’t lose a much-loved independent space that so many rely on.”

Live music venues across London have struggled in recent years, with many being forced to close following noise complaints from their neighbours.

The Coxes added: “This issue goes beyond just us, almost 200 music venues in the last 2 years and 100 breweries in the last year have shut down in the UK, four of them in Walthamstow’s Beer Mile alone.

“Those businesses too far from foot traffic suffer from low sales, while those closer to residential areas face noise complaints. It’s a lose-lose situation. If this continues, London’s independent venues, creative spaces, and world-renowned music scene will disappear.”

The venue hosts a range of events, “from run clubs and kids’ parties to community days, markets, and occasional live music,” the operators say.

Blondies will go before the council’s licensing committee on Thursday, 27th March.

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