“It feels like we’re going backwards” Night & Day Cafe vs Manchester Council noise row rumbles on

A noise row over a Manchester music venue is set to continue into next year if an agreement over sound levels is not reached by the end of December.

Night & Day Cafe vs Manchester City Council

More noise testing will now take place at Night & Day Café in the Northern Quarter.

It comes after Manchester Council served a legal notice on the premises in November 2021 following a complaint from residents living in a neighbouring flat who have since moved out.

Night & Day Noise Abatement Notice

The business appealed the noise abatement notice launching a high-profile campaign claiming that its survival is at stake.

Starting late last year, several court hearings have taken place, but the case has been repeatedly adjourned.

Last Minute Talks

Last-minute talks took place at the town hall earlier this month when the case was supposed to return to Manchester Magistrates Court for a three-day hearing, but no agreement was reached.

A short court hearing took place on July 21 where it was agreed that more testing of sound levels would take place over the summer.

If an agreement is not reached after that, the case will be back in court next year.

Night and Day Spokesperson

A spokesperson for Night & Day said: “Night & Day and its legal team have had a number of meetings in recent weeks outside the courtroom with Manchester City Council (MCC).

“We went into these meetings in a positive and constructive manner, with the hope of moving things forward.

“Unfortunately, the council have now asked for yet another round of acoustic testing

“It feels like we’re going backwards over old ground.

“We don’t understand why testing didn’t happen during the planning stage – twenty years ago before anyone moved into the apartments – and why there was no discussion with MMC before the abatement notice was served on us in 2021.”

Manchester Council Spokesperson

A Manchester council spokesperson said: “We remain entirely committed to reaching an agreement which recognises the needs of residents, allows us to meet our legal obligations and allows the venue to remain commercially viable.”

Further joint sound testing at the venue is set to take place by no later than September 3.

If an agreement is not reached after that, another hearing will take place next year with all relevant court documents due by December 29.