News / Alfresco Disco
Neighbours ‘not happy’ over planned warehouse club events
Two events planned by Alfresco Disco for a pop-up riverside spot have sparked complaints from neighbours concerned about noise pollution.
Over the past two decades the team has put on parties across Bristol in various unique locations, but the next two have caused locals to worry.
Alfresco Disco will host two events on April 11 and Halloween in empty warehouses and garages in St Jude’s next to the River Frome, behind Document and the Safestore self-storage centre.
The location is adjacent to Sawmills, a temporary venue also hosting parties until developers build flats there.
The team has been granted a premises licence for the two events by Bristol City Council.
But councillors on a licensing hearing on Thursday also considered complaints from neighbours living off Pennywell Road, who say that loud music late at night is a problem.
Alfresco Disco hasn’t run events here before, and the two parties will finish by 11pm.
The space is close to the venue Sawmills which is run by the Jam Jar – photo: ShotAway
Justin Gettings, director of Alfresco Disco, said: “We’re very conscientious of making sure that we consider the local community, so we create noise management plans in context of the local environment.
“We’ve planned suitable egress routes that take people through quieter parts of the district. We’re trying to cover as many bases as possible and be as considerate as possible.”
Tom Hodgson, another director, added: “We’re fully aware that there are quite a few venues within that area and there’s a lot of drum and bass that tends to be fairly loud.
“We’re focusing on disco and reggae for this one, which I would like to think is less offensive to people in the area.”
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Around 1,500 people are expected to attend the two parties in April and October, with reggae and disco planned across two stages.
The wider area is home to several other music venues, including the Jam Jar, Document, Lost Horizon and the Boxing Gym.
On weekends the streets are often busy late at night with revellers going to and from venues.
Sharon Reed, a local resident, said: “I can hear the music in my house. I shouldn’t really be in my house and be hearing it at night, especially when it goes beyond 10pm into the early morning.
“I’ve made complaints about the whole area, in regards to noise pollution, because a lot of the music is outside, so there’s no way you can contain the sound and it does travel.
“The neighbours are not happy with it. Nobody’s really listening to us.”
But the noise pollution isn’t linked to Alfresco Disco, and it’s unclear which venues are causing the problems.
Councillors urged locals to make formal complaints to the council if they are concerned about noise pollution or venues breaching their licensing conditions, such as playing music later than they are permitted to.
Green Councillor for Cotham Guy Poultney, chair of the licensing hearing, said: “If premises near you are operating later than they’re allowed to, this committee would take that extremely seriously.
“If you were to make a complaint or call for a review, the council could take action.”
Alex Seabrook is a local democracy reporter for Bristol
Main photo: Alfresco Disco
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