Beloved Yorkshire venue The Golden Lion “targeted” by noise complaints

Owners of beloved West Yorkshire venue The Golden Lion are urging for support after receiving “targeted” noise complaints from neighbours.

According to The Manchester Evening News (MEN), the 18th century pub-turned-club has been subject to several noise complaints over the past month, owner Matthanee Nilavongse (aka Gig) said.

She believes that the complaints were “targeted and malicious”, and came periodically despite no recent changes being made to the venue’s soundsystem or sound insulation.

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The Todmorden venue, which has played host to the likes of Goldie, Jarvis Cocker and Leftfield over the years and also features a shrine to the late Andrew Weatherall, urged for support to stay open.

According to the MEN, Gig called for fans of the venue to write to the local council in its support, adding that The Golden Lion may be forced to close and “cancel all bookings” without help.

On April 30, Music Venue Trust shared an update on behalf of the venue, revealing that the music charity has helped to “mediate and respond to discussions”.

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“We were pleased to be able to contribute to actions which both tackle the current challenges faced by the venue and ensure the continued operation of The Golden Lion as a much-loved grassroots live music venue, and a unique and crucial cultural asset for Todmorden,” they said.

Gig has since thanked Music Venue Trust for their help, sharing on Instagram some “strategies” to stop noise complaints, such as giving away lollipops to punters as they leave “to keep their mouths shut”.

“We wanna keep everyone happy (if we can),” she wrote. “We’re doing what we do – 'don't let the grubby little opportunists grind you down'.”

[Via The Manchester Evening News]

Gemma Ross is Mixmag’s Associate Digital Editor, follow her on X