A SPECIALIST live jazz and rhythm and blues bar in one of Colchester’s oldest buildings has been given approval.

Colchester Council granted permission for 7 Queen Street to have a fresh lease of life under new owners, as Tin Pan Alley Music Bar.

Previously called the What? bar, the venue had regularly hosted dance music DJs, whose music attracted noise complaints from neighbours.

As a result, council environmental health chiefs requested a full hearing in public to decide if the new management team should be granted a licence for live music performance.

After listening to the testimony of a neighbour, who had complained about the What? bar, but supported the Tin Pan Alley project, councillors granted the licence.

Raymond Gray, of High Street, Colchester, said: “I was one of the complainants when it was the What? bar because they had drum and bass music and it was just awful.

“I’ve seen that over the past couple of months, the new owners have put a lot of time and money in to the venue and the music now produced there is enjoyable.”

The hearing was told, following eight music nights which went ahead under a temporary licence, no complaints had been received.

The environmental health team had been worried it would be difficult to control noise at the listed building, as it could not be better insulated without breaching planning regulations.

Applicant Douglas Archell said the back of the building was a 1988 extension, which was not protected. He said it had been possible to limit the noise by setting up the stage at the back of the main room, instead of next to the stairs, where the old DJ booth was.

Mr Archell said: “We found the cellar was a particular problem, as there is no insulation at all. We have completely insulated the cellar ceiling and also insulated two extractor fans.

“With our neighbour Mr Gray, we have done tests and found that, as as result, the noise outside is much-reduced.”

Councillors agreed the application on condition the venue’s doors were kept closed and a tough regime to keep out underage drinkers was introduced.

In addition, they requested the emergency exit be fitted with a glass bolt which would shatter when the door was open, to help provide an incentive to keep it shut.

The hearing was told the bar would broaden the range of live music available in Colchester and would give employment to musicians playing in a “niche” style.

It will shut at 11pm Monday to Thursday, at 12.15am on Fridays and Saturdays and at 10.30pm on Sundays, with additional hours for New Year’s Eve and bank holidays.