London’s Manbar could face closure after pending legal battle with Westminster City Council
A gay bar in the centre of London could close as it faces a potentially expensive legal battle over complaints about noise.
Manbar, which describes itself as “the iconic independent gay bar”, says it could be forced to close, as it gears up for a legal challenge following a licencing review, after one resident living above the premises complained.
The bar appealed after the council banned it from playing music until improvements were made, and continued to trade pending appeal, which will take place at Westminster Magistrates Court on 7 April.
In a release today, Manbar said works had taken place to ensure that noise nuisance would not take place, and that Westminster Council officials wrote to the bar stating: “We are satisfied with the Sound Limiter setting, the sound limiter model and the way in which the system is now set up.”
Chris Amos, manager of Manbar, said when investigating the noise, officers asked the resident to switch off his laptop and fridge in order to hear the noise from the bar.
Despite this, the appeal is set to go ahead.
After seeking legal advice, the management of the bar have said they may be able to win, however if they lose, could face a legal bill of as much as £60,000.
