Che Fu concert could cost tavern its licence after seven noise complaints

Che Fu performing at the Manuka Honey Bar and Grill at Manakau Hotel in Horowhenua.

After seven noise complaints in one evening, Manakau Hotel's operators face a pre-Christmas public hearing to get its licence to sell alcohol renewed.

Chart-topping Kiwi hip-hop artist Che Fu played the Manakau Hotel this month to a full house.

Concert-goers enjoyed a lively, packed and loud show in the hotel bar, but the heavy bass music thudded through the village.

The Horowhenua District Council received seven complaints and the gig was shut down.

Council customer and regulatory services manager Mike Lepper said the hotel's alcohol licence was up for renewal and, as a result of the complaints, the Horowhenua District Licensing Committee would consider the renewal at a public hearing.

Manakau resident Judy Webby, who lives two doors down from the hotel, said the music was too loud to sleep through.

"As even ear plugs did not enable me to sleep I took a walk around the block around midnight to hear if the music was as loud in other places. It was loud all around the block.

"I don't want to sound like the fun police, and I think it's great that the pub is open, but this is a residential area. It's the volume. I don't understand the necessity to have the music at such a high volume in this area.

"They are licensed to sell booze until 1am but they are not licensed to make a racket 'til 1am," Webby said.

"What upsets us is that they were given a verbal warning and they didn't turn the music down. If they had just complied, things could have been different."

Webby opposed the hotel's previous operators' application for on- and off-licences at a hearing in October last year.

The licences were granted, though the licensing committee cut back the hotel's closing time from a requested 2am to 1am.

New operators Vincent Cornell-Cooke and Natalie Smith took over directorship of the previous operators' company, Manakau Hotel (2015) Ltd, two months ago.

The hearing is on Tuesday December 20 at 9.30am in Horowhenua District Council chambers.