A LEDBURY hotel which was criticised for playing live music had to cancel an upcoming performance due to noise level.

A complaint about loud music at the Talbot Hotel in New Street was recently made to Ledbury Town Council after a weekend of live music held in tribute to former landlord Andy Ward.

On Bank Holiday Monday, Jason and the Astronauts were supposed to be performing at the hotel in the courtyard, and the performance had to be cancelled.

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Silviu Virives, assistant manager at the Talbot Hotel, said: "Herefordshire County Council told us that our music was being played too loud, saying that we were at 90db when we should be registering 50db.

"As well as this, we were told that we were not able to have live music in our courtyard either as it requires specific licensing.

"We are in the process of trying to sort this out with the council but we will certainly still be hosting regular live music for our customers." 

Richard Jennings, the manager of the New Street pub, previously said he is happy to work with authorities but isn’t going to stop providing a venue for local bands.

“Someone complained to Ledbury Town Council about noise after Andy Fest,” he said.

“We had a letter on August 2 from Herefordshire Council saying there had been a complaint about live music causing a nuisance.

“It’s a shame, we put the event on in memory of Andy, who had live music at the Talbot for years. I don’t know what’s changed.”

Mr Jennings said he was disappointed that neither the complainant nor a council representative had come and spoken to him face-to-face.

“It’s just a bit frustrating that people won’t just come and talk to me,” he said.

“We’ve had two years of lockdowns, of people having peace and quiet, but businesses are trying to get back on their feet - that’s what we’re doing - and it’s difficult, things have changed.”

Mr Jennings, who wants to make Andy Fest an annual event, previously said the Talbot is also planning community cinema events for the winter months.