# The leader paper regarding bar noise - Type: wall - Canonical path: /fr/wall/14305-the-leader-paper-regarding-bar-noise - Canonical URL: https://aspanishlife.com/fr/wall/14305-the-leader-paper-regarding-bar-noise News TOWN HALL PLEADS WITH BAR OWNERS TO REGULATE THEMSELVES REGARDING MUSIC LEVELS Print | Send to a friend Contributor / 2012-05-25 21:21:08 San Fulgencio municipality receives the most denuncias against bars than any other municipality in the Valencian Community. The shocking claim came in a phone call from Valencia to the Mayor of San Fulgencio, Carlos Ramirez. In respect to other areas by comparing the population and number of bars, the number of denuncias is considerably higher than other areas for example, Rojales and Quesada, where few complaints are received. As a result, last Tuesday, the Mayor called a meeting last Tuesday between the bar owners of San Fulgencio and the urbanisations to address the situation.   “We want this to be positive, do not look at the Town Hall as an enemy, but as a friend.” The Mayor continued, “We are very conscious that times are difficult and we want you to earn money but it is also important to respect and have balance with your neighbours.”   It is the age old debate of the right of bar's to have live music and the residents' right to live in peaceful surrounding that has prompted the majority of denuncias in the province.  Bar owners are battling for their livelihoods and fought for the need to be able to offer live entertainment, karaoke and quiz nights to keep the customer's happy, continually complaining about 'harassment' from the police who patrol the urbanisations' commercial areas checking licenses and stopping music. One owner said there were 3 policemen outside her premises for an hour and as she began to close and stop the entertainment, they slapped her with a denuncia against the noise. At the same time this was happening a customer in her bar was having her property broken in to and her possessions stolen. “That was the equivalent of 3 hours of man power wasted listening to my music when someone was having her home destroyed.” “The police are simply doing their job” explained councillor for the urbanisations Jeff Wiszniewski, “If they receive a complaint they have to investigate it, if they do not respond they are breaking the law themselves.”   The councillor told the heated congregation that there were 45 establishments in San Fulgencio and the urbanisations. Of these, just 15 have their opening license with the others having applied or awaiting the paperwork to come through. In theory, if the Town Hall was to impose the law literally these premises technically should not be open and the Valencian authorities could come along and close them down. The Mayor and his team at Tuesday's meeting stressed they did not want this to happen, they want to help the businesses as much as possible to help the area strive and grow. Of these 45 establishments, only 3 had licenses under the categories 'I' and 'B' being classed as discos and dance halls and therefore allowed live music until 1.30am. This means that the majority of bars in urbanisation La Marina are not legally licensed to have live music which Jeff explains to be “as soon as you pick up a microphone to sing or even do a quiz it becomes live music.” As a result, if the police receive a complaint they have little option but to uphold the law and the license status that the establishment holds.    However, in a show of support the Mayor and his team made it clear that they will accommodate the bars in most cases and pleaded with the bar owners to regulate themselves and show common sense. “So can we do karaoke until midnight?” asked one, “Technically and legally no,” replied Jeff. “But, if the noise is kept at a decent level and cannot be heard from around 20m away that is a decent level. Keep speakers inside and close windows and doors. It is up to you to check the sound levels of any entertainers you have.”    The Town Hall said they have no objections at all to music or entertainment for 'fiestas' or special events such as charity fundraisers or celebrations as long as the correct requests and paperwork is filled in and done in plenty of time. One such event did receive a visit from the police on Sunday after a complaint about the outside live entertainment was made, but the councillor for urbanisations explained that the denuncia will be nullified as this was a mistake on their behalf and an administrative error resulting in the papers not going to the right department.   In practice it would seem that the Town Hall are allowing as much leeway as possible extending courtesy to the bars to allow them reasonable music to help them continue with their businesses but the only way the situation will be eased is if the denuncias stop. However, it came to light that shockingly, in many cases it is not neighbours complaining but other bars making the denuncias, plotting against the competition or rivals, effectively killing business for everyone. “You cannot fight against each other. We are recommending you form a Bar Owners Association so there is no counter-talk but representatives of you all who can bring problems and issues to us here at the Town Hall. This type of meeting only degrades in to a slanging match, you need to be unified in what you are doing and without people co-operating and coming together this place will die.”   The meeting on Tuesday was for bar owners in certain areas with other's being addressed with the same issues at differing times to make it easier for the Town Hall to speak with all owners. The Mayor has made it clear that if the bar's do not help themselves Valencia could send Policia Nacional officers to the municipality who will close the premises if the law is found to be breached and it will be out of the hands of the Ayuntamiento. However, he has promised to speak with the Valencian Government asking them not to come saying they will deal and address the issue.   As the meeting came to a close it seems the final say as to the future of the night life of La Marina lies in the hands of the bar owner's themselves, the very people who face losing and gaining the most.