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The Soundhouse (where DiS hosted their regular Essex live gig nights) is facing an uphill struggle after a court ruling yesterday. Below is the unedited mail we received from the owner of the venue, Sean Hudson, who explains the whole situation:
"The Soundhouse liquor licence was revoked at Colchester Magistrates Court yesterday. It was refused on the grounds that I, Sean Hudson, am not a fit and proper person to run a music venue due to ongoing noise complaints from my OAP neighbours. There were no police objections so the decision was made by the magistrates after taking 3 hours to make their decision. This means that to stand any chance of continuing I have to appeal and continue working under a protection order (meaning I work as the licensee under the previous owners licence - as before) This involves going to Crown Court, a very costly move.
"As I personally stand, I am quite worn out of the whole situation. I have had nothing but barrier after barrier put in my way since buying the Soundhouse and what with thousands spent on soundproofing and my initial set up costs I am on the verge of bankruptcy. However I will continue. I will continue not only because of the time and investment already put into my 5 months at The Soundhouse, turning it around from a tribute pub to a established circuit music venue but because Essex needs a full time music venue. I lost one venue after eleven years hard work, Im not going to lose another one because neighbours have took exception to myself and my I quote 'my goth and goth-hawk customers ' (we think they meant Goths & Mohawks)
So why this e mail: you can help with this one, please sign our message board with your feelings and support, be careful what you write, some postings were used in court yesterday. Highlight the situation on your website, speak to your local MP, newspapers, local branch of the musicians union, start your own petition (which must have proper addresses) which can be done on line . ANYTHING that will help this cause. If you dont, you set to lose Essex's last proper full time music venue. Anything you can do will be greatly appreciated. We are after maximun support in court and want to see a good show of strength, we know the local TV station will get involved."
To try and help, we have set up a petition online which you can access by clicking here. Please spare a minute to put your monicker on it to stop yet another venue going down the pan.
