By Julie Morgan

Last updated 16:11, Wednesday, 01 October 2008

COMPLAINTS against “noisy’’ karaoke nights in a well-known town centre pub have forced a licence review of its premises.

Barra Jacks Pub in Whitehaven

And now the landlady of Barra Jacks fears for her business if action is taken to stop the singing.

Kathryn Atkinson has run popular karaoke nights for the past three years at the Market Place pub. Held on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays and every other Friday, they can pull in up to 80 customers, which significantly boosts weekly takings.

However, complaints about the noise from some nearby residents have resulted in Copeland Council issuing a legal notice informing the public of a licensing meeting to discuss the situation next Tuesday.

Environmental officers were this week checking out noise levels at the pub.

Kathryn said: “Since the complaints I have been trying to the reduce the noise. I have installed double-glazing in seven windows and the back door and have tried moving the speakers around so the music can’t be heard from outside.

“The karaoke nights are my livelihood, I can’t afford to have them stopped.’’

Since the smoking ban, Kathryn’s customers have also been going out to her new beer garden for a cigarette, but that resulted in the sound of the karaoke carrying to nearby houses.

“At one point I was standing by the door shutting it after every customer went out,’’ Kathryn said. She has since stopped customers using the beer garden on the karaoke nights.

The pub has also had letters of support from neighbours who state they aren’t affected by the sound of the karaoke. Kathryn added: “It has been very stressful. I just hope it gets sorted at the meeting.’’