Clampdown urged at Ellesmere Market Hall after loud party
Ellesmere Market Hall bosses today pledged to enforce stricter rules when hiring out the venue after complaints of noise generated from its first ever wedding.
Lincoln McMullan, chairman of All Together Ellesmere (ATE), which leases the hall, has admitted that the noise from the wedding was too high and music wasn't turned off until the early hours.
The wedding was held at the Scotland Street venue on Saturday and has sparked complaints from residents living nearby about loud music being played until 1am on Sunday.
Mr McMullan, who has been keen to attract new events to the building, said: "It was a bit noisy. The music was turned down at about 12pm and was turned off by 1am.
"I was told I wouldn't be able to hear the music in my house but I could hear it.
"It was unfortunately just one of those things, next time I will have to ensure sound levels and times are agreed on booking.
"That was the only problem. The couple seemed happy with the venue and they had a good time.
"Businesses in the town benefitted from it such as the hotels."
Commenting on the Ellesmere Community News Facebook page, Carole Honey said: "Not usually one to complain, don't mind people having fun and enjoying themselves, but the noise from the music/band was horrific. My sitting room windows were rattling. The poor residents of Scotland Street and Wharf Road suffered terribly."
Emma Cooper said: "I heard it and I live two miles away."
But Becky Farmer added: "It's only a one-off and it's not like it happens all the time.
"Yes, it was very loud as we could hear it up on the new estate, but is there really any need to complain when it's only happened once?"Work to tidy up the building after the change involved creating a new kitchen thanks to a grant of £11,620 from Shropshire Council's Market Towns Revitalisation Programme.
Work to repair the leaking roof has also recently been completed.
Mr McMullan added: "Repairs to the roof have meant the place is now a lot warmer. We don't need the heating on for so long so we are saving on electricity.
"We are getting bookings for different events so the work has meant we are able to utilise it more than before.
"I still want to get a mezzanine floor in it."
