Facebook page calls for return of live music at Norwich club

More than a thousand people have joined a campaign to restore live music to the rooftop terrace of a Norwich club.

Havana in London Street used to host the popular live music and DJ events which lasted into the early hours of the morning, but they were stopped earlier this year following complaints about noise.

Norwich City Council advised the club's owner Patrick Fisher that the events were outside the scope of its premises licence and that complaints about the noise were received from as far away as north of the city.

Now a page on social networking site Facebook calling for their return has picked up 1,200 members in just four days.

One of those fans, Henry Jackson Newcomb said: 'Havana's has had music and DJs playing upstairs on the roof terrace as a legendary occurrence known for bringing some of the freshest music to an always positive crowd of people.

'The Facebook group was set up to try to get the word out that they were trying to get the facilities back in use and to get support from the customers. In four days the group had over 1,200 members and was quickly growing.

'I enjoyed many nights at Havana's and always had a positive experience.'

A Norwich City Council spokesman said that during the summer it received a number of complaints from residents living in the north of the city regarding loud bass music being played at about 4am or 5am.

The spokesman said: 'On investigation, the source of the noise was identified as coming from the Havana premises in London Street, which confirmed it had been using its external roof terrace for live bands and DJ nights.

'The manager was advised the activity was outside the scope of the current premises licence. Since this time no further events have taken place. The operating company has expressed interest in developing this roof terrace but to date we haven't received an application to vary the licence.'

Patrick Fisher said that he now believed that the Facebook page had been closed down.

He said: 'It was a wonderful idea for people to support us and it shows such a fantastic response and love for the music on the roof tower.

'Unfortunately, some of the emails started to get a bit nasty, which took away from the positives. It's a shame the council took the view that the music playing on the roof was not auxiliary to the licensing activities we have permission for.'

Are you trying to promote live music in Norwich? Call David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk