Noise from pubs and clubs causes a lot of annoyance compared to other types of noise. Loud bass, particularly late at night, can cause sleep disturbance.

Your local council can help you if you are having problems with noise from a nearby pub or club. A venue's entertainment licence usually contains conditions dealing with noise.  If noise emitting from the venue exceeds these limitations, the council can take action to deal with this nuisance.

Noise from a venue with an entertainment licence must be controlled to stop residents being disturbed too much. The noise can include:

• music
• noise from taxis
• people leaving at the end of the night

From 1 April 2012, the Noise Act 1996 will apply to night-time noise from certain licenced premises between 11pm and 7am. This includes premises holding an entertainment, liquor licence and certain registered clubs. If a premises is making excessive noise the council can serve them with a warning notice asking them to reduce the noise within ten minutes.

If the council belives that the noise is excessive, there are a number of actions which can be taken

• the venue owner may be fined or prosecuted
• the entertainment licence may be revoked
• the council may recommend structural changes to improve sound proofing in the venue.