THE Hush Club has “absolutely not” been forced to cancel its events, the council has insisted.
Despite accusations of being a “killjoy council”, the popular club in Southbourne is allowed to apply for a new licence to run.
In August, organisers at the popular Café Riva-based party announced this year’s event at the air festival would be the final one.
They claimed Environmental Health deemed it an “unsuitable act for the venue” and so it was forced to cancel future events.
A petition was then set up by Southbourne resident Bob Smith-Thomas, which has received more than 4,500 signatures and was brought to the full council meeting on October 15.
Mr Smith-Thomas said: “Recently, unfortunately, [The Hush Club] were told that they could no longer do this due to complaints.
“I couldn’t get my head round that because Riva Café has a DJ every weekend and I felt it was a bit unfair that the Hush Club couldn’t do it, so I started the petition.”
He added: “The local community feel very strongly. This is a family event. It's for charity, they raise thousands of pounds, it’s been running for years and we don’t understand why suddenly we can’t have it.”
Ward councillor George Farquhar described the Hush Club as a “very popular event with both locals and visitors”.
Duanne Farr, Kinson councillor, added it would be “sad” if the Hush Club was cancelled like the air show because of “killjoys at the council”.
He added: “It’s not a good look for the council to have a reputation of stopping fun.”
Kieron Wilson, cabinet member for regulatory services, said BCP Council has “absolutely not” banned the Hush Club event nor has any legal action been taken.
“Environmental health staff have been liaising with the event organiser following a large number of noise complaints – 45 separate have been received since 2021.
“The council has a statutory duty to investigate noise nuisance, clearly set out in law, and we have no control over changing or adjusting that law.”
He said the Hush Club organisers should apply for a temporary event notice, but warned any council or police objections would mean the licensing committee would have to decide.
A statement from the club said: “The Hush Club has never knowingly broken any licensing conditions or caused any public disturbance.
“We form a noise management plan, continually monitor our sound levels and have provided evidence to the health officer proving that we are operating within the set parameters.
“Yet we’ve repeatedly singled out as an organisation deemed unsuitable to provide entertainment at our events.”
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