Music in La Marina

This is the first time I have read the various comments regarding the noise in the La Marina urbanization. I am a bar owner here & I will identify my bar as "Temptations". My name is Al & my wife's name is Susan. There. Formalities done. We do not hide behind a 'nom de plum'. In 2004, Sue & myself came to La Marina to visit her parents who had retired here from Colwyn Bay, Wales. We felt, because of a serious family issue, that it was necessary for us to move here from Canada to assist her parents living out their golden years. After making the move here, we decided to open our business as an Ice Cream Shop & Bar. We did not foresee, as did anyone else, the world-wide economic disaster that befell in 2007. During the last 6 years ( yes, it's our 6th year anniversary the 1st of May), we have had to change our business to survive in a very competitive area. We started by offering Karaoke nights on Fridays & Saturdays which started slowly but over the years have been very successful. We then added a Quiz Night on Thursdays which have also been very successful. This was not in our original plans but, because of the recession, we have had to adapt to survive during this crisis. When we started these events, we had absolutely 'ZERO' complaints from anyone other than my error in leaving the back door open accidentally a couple of times about 3 years ago & apologizing for my mistake. We have been very diligent in purchasing professional sound-proofing & putting it up EVERY Friday & Saturday to prevent any unwanted noise disturbing residents along Calle Luis de Gongora. We have also had the volume of our Karaoke turned down to a level where our customers can speak to each other while inside our premises. We realize that there is an acceptable volume that we try to adhere to, but with the wind direction some evenings changing directions, the sound can sometimes travel the wrong way. We sincerely apologize to people affected by this phenomena.
Now, to the topic of noise pollution.
When Susan & I first came here, we thought, 'what a lovely place to live!' The people were so friendly, everyone's having an enjoyable evening with the music, sometimes, well in to the early mornings with NO ONE complaining about the noise & thoroughly enjoying themselves, both holiday-makers & residents alike. With the recession, La Marina has been hit very hard by the economic downturn. Many people have had to return to the U.K. & other parts of Europe to obtain work & support their families. House values have plummeted. The pound exchange rate against the Euro has gone from € 1.51 when we first arrived down to approximately € 1.20. This has hurt the average pensioner dramatically as this approx. 20% loss has led to many pensioners not having that little 'extra' money to go out for perhaps dinner & drinks like they used to in the past. This is where, in our opinion, this debate, arguement, complaint..call it what you like, has started from. We have discussed with dozens of people, customers & other bar & restaurant owners alike, the fact that EVERY ONE OF US, have been affected by this recession. The fact is, there are a lot less people living here in La Marina. This brings the reason for the various establishments offering some sort of entertainment to attract customers. Whether it be a football match on TV, a live entertainer that many people enjoy,a Quiz, Karaoke, Bingo, or a major summer fiesta, most of us like to do something different than sitting at home watching telly. Without some type of entertainment or a good food menu, none of us would survive here in La Marina. Temptations does very well in July & August with our ice cream sales. We do not have a kitchen but sell easy to make food items as we do not compete with the very fine pubs,restaurant & cafes in our area for food sales. That leaves 10 months of the year where we, along with all the other bars & establishments, have to struggle & come up with ideas to remain financially stable. With the cost of everything including utilities,inventory,wages & in general, just about everything going up, we have to be clever in offering some type of idea to attract business. This usually involves making some kind of noise, which 6 years ago, didn't seem to bother anyone. Now, the police have been to a lot of bars & last night during our Quiz, to say that the noise can be heard by them down the stairs between The George & Hogs Head. I asked if they had received a complaint from anyone & was told that they had not, but to close the door so as not to bother anyone. All of our customers enjoying our quiz were very surprised to say the least as we only had 'background' music playing. I was told by the police that they are just 'doing their job' & stopping any noise pollution on the urb. What has happened? In 6 years we have gone from having a great time in Spain, loving & living the Spanish Life & getting away from the unpleasant weather of other parts of the world, to living in an area where a few residents have threatened legal action to the town hall, if entertainment is not stopped. If entertainment is stopped or curtailed to the point where there is no reason in going out anywhere, La Marina will become an absolute "GHOST TOWN". If these few people succeed in stopping the entertainment offered here, no one will even bother to come here for a holiday & choose other areas to spend their holiday money. The overwhelming majority of residents here that DO enjoy their weekly entertaiment will have no options because of the very few people being over-zealous about a little noise coming from people having a good time. If the establishments responsible for 'excessive' noise pollution can be identified & the blame not put on the establishments that are trying to make an honest living abiding by the laws, this problem can be solved. It would also be interesting that all of the 'ghost-writers' that are putting comments on this site would properly identify themselves & propose a meeting with town hall officials , all bar & restaurant owners & themselves, to see if a solution can be reached. Some of the ideas that I've read are ridiculous & some are so expensive that it impossible to do. Double glazing in some locations would require major renovations. Noise limiters are also very expensive. And having a device that turns off the electric at midnight is utter nonsense.
This problem CAN be solved but there has to be a little give & take from everyone. This does not have to be an on-going problem year after year.
Speaking for ourselves & some bar owners, we welcome any constructive comments if it is within reason that everyone can have a satisfactory result. As of last year, I realize how PRECIOUS life is & try to make the most of every day without complaining about certain things that can be solved. I think we can all live together without all the anger & bitterness that is festering about this subject. Thank you for reading this post. Al & Sue.