No change to Shrewsbury Quarry noise
Thursday 20th May 2010, 2:05PM BST.
Plans to remove noise restrictions on live music events at Shrewsbury’s Quarry in a bid to attract big name acts have been scrapped – after bosses today claimed it would cost too much.
Shrewsbury Town Council, which manages the Quarry, applied to Shropshire Council to vary the premises licence, sparking fears among nearby residents.
But Helen Ball, town clerk, today said the application had been withdrawn because the process to change the existing licence would cost the authority as much as £2,000.
Dr Alan Shrank, from Shrewsbury Town Centre Residents’ Association today said the group was “delighted” with the news and claimed the existing restriction of 65 decibels was plenty for holding concerts and events in the Quarry.
Mrs Ball said although the restriction would not be removed, the council could apply to raise the decibel level on certain occasions to accommodate performers who need it higher.
She said: “The application has been withdrawn though I think it is more about cost than anything.
“When they originally put the licence in with the old borough council it cost a few hundred pounds. But now they want a couple of thousand pounds just to amend the decibel level so we thought we would stick with the licence we have got.
“We had one instance last year where the noise of the crowd exceeded the decibel level rather than the actual act so we were trying to take that out of the restriction but not to the cost of £2,000. If there are any specific acts that would potentially increase the decibel levels then we would apply on an individual basis.”
Last year large numbers of people at the ’80s concert complained that the music was too quiet and musicians and singers were drowned out by the crowd. But town centre residents have asked in the past for sound restrictions on Quarry concerts.
Dr Shrank said: “We’re delighted because we consider having excessive noise in the Quarry not only affects residents in the vicinity but all over the town.
“If they really want to have concerts that are going to make so much noise that they disturb lots of people then quite frankly the Qua-rry is not the right place.”
By Russell Roberts
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What a shock!! looks like we will still all have to travel elsewhere to see decent live shows and bands – oh hang on! theres always the proclaimers at theatre severn? great crack. Well done residents association!!!
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As much as £2,000, the local authority would spend more than that on a meal at a ‘very important’ council meeting!!!!
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£2000 is nothing, especially compared to the price of the Quantum Leap…
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Am I reading this correctly? 65 decibels ? I hope that’s a typo.
That is the level of speech, i.e. normal conversation. No artist or band could expect to be heard at that level.
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Lets hope the Residents Association keep the noise down when they throw their victory dominoes party!
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sorry £2,000? It would cost too much? £2,000? Am I missing something here?
Spend the £2k and get some bigger names in to play and your £2k spend could equal £20k profit. It’s not a hard concept to grasp is it? Big name acts regularly turn down the chance to play (at would could be a great venue) because of the noise restrictions.
Come on Shrews, bigger acts = more people attending = more tickets bought, more burgers sold, more parking used etc = more money for the town.
Useless!
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I fully recognise and uderstand the concerns of residents near to the quarry being affected by noise levels from open concerts held in the quarry, however, I think that people should take into account that these events only happen once or twice in a year.
I find it hard to believe that the process costs £2000 to change the existing license.
Just what exactly is involved to cost £2000??
Maybe it is just down to the Red Tape between councils??
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I love Shrewsbury, but my god it gets it so wrong with providing contemporary music for its residents. £2000 is a pittance put next to the hundreds of thousands squandered on the Darwin artwork recently put up.
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I think there’s a point missed here – a noise restriction of 65dB (decibels).
To put that into context – a vacuum cleaner produces about 70dB.
So does Dr Alan Shrank want to introduce an evening curfew on vacuum cleaners?
I agree that they might not want the amount of noise produced at festivals such as Glastonbury but last year the audience complained because they actually couldn’t hear the performers. Somehow the balance has gone to far in Dr Shrank’s favour
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Its clear that the Blue Rinse Brigade are still running Shrewsbury so why not bring the live outdoor music to Telford, The town park is an excellent venue and the town will benefit from any extra revenue created. Which brings me to the point that if the small shops in the town centre of Shrewsbury are suffering from lack of trade then this is not the fault of the council or car parking, its the fault of the town centre residents association strangleing the town centre and turning it into a large open air retirement home..
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Absolutely disgraceful. Dr Shrank and his cronies ought to get themselves a life. How is anyone expected to enjoy a concert at 65 decibels – quieter than a hairdryer?? It’s not as if the concerts are even held regualarly. Could they not just disappear for the one weekend of the year (and preferably not come back).
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Yers, how DARE these residents represent their own interests?
The problem with the complaints by the people who want to have the noise limit increased is that they ruin whatever good point thewy might have by saying things like: “Could they not just disappear for the one weekend of the year (and preferably not come back)”. or: describing them as: “the blue rinse brigade”
Hint: It makes you sound like the kind of people who really do not make good neighbours!
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I don’t think the need is to complain about those complaining. I do think however that people need to be reasonable in these situations. For example, those residents accept that for one or two (four if you include the flower show) nights a year, it will be a little noisier than usual. AND maybe, like even V festival does, offer those residents discounted or free (V does the latter for Weston-Under-Lizard residents) tickets to the events. I mean come on…live and let live and all that!
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As usual Dr Shrank sticks his oar in from the house price preservation cartel that is the ‘Shrewsbury Town Centre Residents Association’ and ruins the everyone else in Shrewsbury.
When will someone stand up to them and tell them that the Quarry is not their communal garden and its there for ALL residents of Shrewsbury.
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WOW! A whole £2,000. It’s not as if the tickets are cheap The 80′s concert alone is £32 per person and thats if you buy in advance. What about the Tourism this will bring to Shrewsbury/Shropshire? Surely it is worth it.God forbid if someone sneezes at the flower show!!
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This is a disgrace – the Town Council started this process and they should finish it and stomp up the £2K – a bit of extra noise a few days in the year, so what – the Shrewsbury Town Centre Resdidents Association should get a life. Grumpy Old Man aged 63
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65dB @ 1mtr. I would like to know who measured that. The drummers kit must be made out of soggy cardboard and as for the rest of the band I would be surprised if they could hear themselves.
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Hang-on…I thought the restrictions were asked to be removed to save staffing hours for the Town Council? Surely they could pay for the license and make it back on the saved overtime!
It would be great to have a “big” band play at the Quarry (thinking Muse rather than Glenn Miller). Getting there with Travis, but they played at the Music Hall about 1997 so not really cutting-edge.
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I will happily co-ordinate a collection of £1 off 2000 people in favour of pushing the licence through and increasing the noise level.
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DO IT! Although in principle it shouldn’t have to be done, they can overspend by £100,000 on that monstrocity that is the Dull Darwin Spine, shoved in the corner of the town that nobody sees except to drive past, but can’t spare £2,000 to make the most of something spectacular that we already have…very short sighted. I’d give a quid for it though, show the decision makers that they are constantly getting it wrong.
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Move it to the West Mid Showground, give the locals in the flats free tickets, point it away from the town and hope the winds in the right direction. Job done, all happy, topped up coffers and smiling squiffy punters.
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Too expensive my ****. Whose strings is Dr Shrank pulling? There’s a more serious issue here; how exactly is a small, self-interested group allowed to have this degree of influence? Come on, Shropshire Star, let’s see you get down to some good old investigative journalism!
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On the face of it, £2000 being too much to spend is an embarrassingly pathetic excuse for backing down yet again to those residents who choose to live in a town centre yet complain about the slightest noise. However, reading between the lines, whilst it appears that Shrank has won, he should be aware that it is likely that all future concerts will be applying for raised decibel levels (probably at varying levels depending on the type of event – which is good news). I guess he’ll be busy objecting to all those but don’t be surprised if levels at events (on an individual basis) are raised accordingly. Maybe Cradle of Filth can play then?
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Not sure why readers are surprised by this myopic reaction to spending £2K.
Yes it is a stupid decision but they would also have been stupid to go ahead with the change and spend the money. Why? Because they would be berated for wasting £2K.
Accept that nothing is going to change until someone grows a pair and tells the good Doctor where to stick it, tells the “don’t spend” whingers to figure out how to stimulate growth, and the concert-goers to accept there has to be some compromise.
Happy Friday.
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I thought Oswestry was bad for clamping down on things. But they’ve allowed the OsFest festival to go ahead next weekend without any complaints (so far). And that’s got Lemar, Goldie Lookin Chain, Spear Of Destiny, Reverend And The Makers, plus more playing – over two days!
Don’t tell the doctor though – he might complain he can hear it!
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@ Mr Jeavons, I’ll donate £10 to the licence change if the council can’t afford it.
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Just one question – where are the sound levels actually measured? 65 db on the stage, or even at the back of the crowd is ridiculously low – even an unamplified acoustic guitar or solo singer can produce much higher sound levels.
If it’s measured at the boundary of the site, or more logically outside the nearest residential properties, then it’s not so bad, although 65db would still be much quieter than the sound of a passing vehicle.
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I think this great news, move the annoying concert to the west mid show ground and out of the way. It will do us all a favour and stop people like b-side moaning.
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NIMBY’s are ruining these ocassional music events. I suggest those in favour go ahead with it and ignore the views of a few dinosaurs.
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The less I say about Shrank the better! WHat gives him the right to “speak” on behalf of the Town’s residents?
It saddens me when you see other forward thinking towns/cities put on culturally different events and Shrewsbury does not (or at least when they try to, Shrank and his band of merry men stick their oar in). Shrewsbury is the capital of Shropshire and should therefore put on events that cater for everyone, not sure just the Flower lovers. The Quarry is a lovely venue and more use should be made of it.
Shrank if you don’t like it, move out of the town centre. It was here before you and will be here after you!
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IF you would like to send your comments to chairman@nora-uk.co.uk, I am sure they will take in all your input.
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I’m pleased with this decision, to be fair the concerts are not that good anyhow and poor value for money.
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This is just an absolute joke and an embarrassment.
When towns and cities in Italy are proud to put on international acts attracting tourists and locals of all ages, this is proof once again that Shrewsbury is nothing but a backwater.
For those who proclaim the town should be a city must live in cloud cuckoo land. The place is run by absolute idiots who listen to idiots.
I live in the town centre, I have never been asked my opinion on things. As stated many times, I dont complain about the Flower Show, I dont complain about the carnival or other events in the Quarry. Music is the soul of life. These people who claim that they represent us are nothing but bigots.
It is a job to live in the town centre. The town centre is for everyone to enjoy. It is not the back garden of a select few.
As for the council – well, the missed a prime opportunity to build a theatre on the old Gay Meadow site, but again bigots had self agendas and wanted to kill off the football club and we are left with a 600 seater white elephant.
Do these self elected people ever go to the Wolves Civic or ever tour around Europe and marvel at the events put on by people proud of their town? A 600 seater venue is a joke as is the excuse that £2,000 is too expensive is crazy.
What did these people do when they were younger? Why do we have to settle for a bunch of kill joys telling us what they think is right? The Shrewsbury Quarry is one of the most natural and beautiful venues in the UK. The potential is immense. I can seriously see one day a band like U2 playing there bringing 1,000s of visitors and subsequent trade to the town.
Ill just travel and stay away from my home town and will put my money in to the pockets of those in other places who have a vision, a drive, a dream and who are a bunch of doers.
I hope the radio station and newspaper both do in depth features and spark a mass debate on this and cover something properly for a change.
Its quite fitting that in 50 years the most famous thing to happen in this backwater is the filming of A Christmas Carol – the whole town seems to be run by Scrooges.
No wonder people move out and move away.
I’ve had enough myself.
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Well said Matt!
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The issue of noise in the Quarry is a red herring to the real problems of living in the town centre, namely: people vomiting and urinating on your doorstep; cans, bottles and fag ends discarded anywhere, and roads being used as a race track circuit at night. I have no problem with the Quarry hosting music events, even if not all of them are to my personal taste, there is a great atmosphere.
Some of the comments on this article are mis-informed and others plain silly/ Why would any centre resident want to ‘strangle’ the town so that shops close etc? I don’t know Mr Shrank but it seems that he has been made the villain of this piece. What I do know is that the Town Centre Residents Committee were against relocating the 6th Form College to London Road as they wanted to keep the students as part of the town, and also that they have campaigned to get a University in the town for the same reason.
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A University that nobody wants to go to because the alternatives such a Cardiff, Newcastle, Sheffield and even Stoke have things to do at night other than eating drinking and looking at the lovely planters..
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…are you sure about Stoke?? I thought it was where they sent you from Coventry….
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Dr Shrank is/was a dermatologist. He’s therefore only interested in the skin or surface issues rather than the entirety. The TCRC represent but a few and deprive Shrewsbury of the opportunity to be a serious contendor for city status and a claim to be the county capital
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[I don’t know Mr Shrank but it seems that he has been made the villain of this piece]
For many years Dr Shrank representing the TCRA has been a thorn in the side of progress or any provision being dedicated to young people (other then the toddler age group)
The TCRA has a reputation for extreme snobbery and very old fashioned views that excludes many town centre residents.
The ethos of their organisation appears to be, keep the town as it is, any change has to look as if it happened a century ago. This apparently will ensure that Shrewsbury remains amazingly famous for it’s oldness which must be worshipped at all costs except of course, regarding vehicles. There doesn’t seem to be pressure to return to horse drawn travel except once a year!
Tourists are to be encouraged so long as they spend, spend, spend then preferably go away.
The university concept is only welcomed to raise the status of the town from it’s present backward, parochial, anachronistic reputation but the reality of a wide multi ethnic student population would be actively resisted.
What was a small town that had relatively rural,hardworking,farming and market origins has to reinstate itself as a leading, vibrant representative of the county. Becoming a twee museum to the gentility to retire to is not what is the best option for Shrewsbury. This creates a population of the well off within the loop and everyone else feel their needs as citizens also of the town, are very under-represented.
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WELCOME TO SHREWSBURY, Britains largest retirement home..
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I’ve been following these comments all week (as have many others I would imagine). Eva land’s excellent post #32 sums it up very well for me. Not many supporters of the TCRA have felt compelled to justify their stance on this story via the opportunity to comment. I therefore wonder whether the Shropshire Star can pursue this report by asking either Shrank or one of the other members of the TCRA to respond to the majority of the posters on here? Otherwise, I’m going to take my rather large pa up Town Walls and play very loud music outside his presumably very posh but old-fashioned house.
Cheers.
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If you want an insight into the narrow-minded, interfering and damn right snobbery of the TCRA, type in Victoria Quay on SCC Planning Portal and laugh at why they recently objected to the installation of 8 flower planters outside the Armoury. Fortunately, SCC had the sense to ignore their stupid comments. They do not represent the interests of the majority of tax paying residents WITHIN the river loop.
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I had a look,very amusing Dr Reg!
You should look at the bleatings fron TCRC on APP. 10/00366/CON regarding the demolition of the remaining 1920/30s buildings badly damaged in the Shrewsbury explosion.
Dr S and his gang are desparate to retain those pre WW11 pastiche buildings as architectural gems which just goes to show that the TCRA do not understand design at all.
They fear a 2010 building opposite the apparently iconic Morris building also built in the 1920s and recently extended to match.
I have no doubt that sadly we will have a fake period building on that corner if the TCRA get their own way just like we have the disney like mediaeval shopping centre.
We have some amazing 21c buildings in Shrewsbury that people have travelled to the town specifically to see, along with the real precious older buildings.
Mansers attracted attention from overseas as well as from the UK and is a great credit to the town.
Sadly the Theatre, Guildhall and most new housing built recently is mediocre in design and Shrewsbury need to be more robust in it’s quality of new design to compliment the historical heritage and stop using terms like ‘in keeping’, ‘blends in’ etc which are meaningless. You can build 2010 design that works well and you can build pastiche but by doing so you compromise the benefits of great views, light, space and comfort that a modern design can also incorporate.
We started by building cars that resembled coaches without the horse and our cars have naturally evolved to work better for us. Today cars are far more sophisticated than say a Hansom Cab but they basically function the same with seats, a view and travel that is faster than walking.
If the TCRA are really so keen on 20c architecture then why have we no listed buildings from that era? We have some good examples of Art Deco, Bauhaus design in Shrewsbury but none have been listed to my knowledge.
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For those of you interested in the noise limit for concerts in the Quarry you should know that as a councillor on Shrewsbury Town Council I am determined to give my full support to raising the noise limit. To that end I will be pushing for a licence review at tomorrows meeting of the Recreation and Leisure Committee. I welcome any comments you would like to make, I can be reached by email at dean.carroll-stc@shropshire.gov.uk or by telephone on 07548 252915.
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