POOLE Quay’s Aqua Bar has been spared from having its opening hours cut by borough licensing chiefs.

Neighbours had contacted environmental health officers on a number of occasions to complain about noise disturbances from the bar and restaurant at Hennings Wharf.

Borough of Poole’s licensing sub-committee, which has the power to modify, suspend or even revoke the licence, decided against reviewing any conditions.

Members were happy the bar’s management had been working well with environmental officers in a bid to minimise noise levels.

However, they did elect to reduce the minimum period of licence review from one year to six months.

And they suggested the licence holder carry out further work to reduce the level of noise.

Explaining the decision, a Borough of Poole spokesman said: “The premises’ licence holder has continued to work with the applicant, environmental and consumer protection service, to resolve ongoing noise nuisance from the premises.

“It is felt that the suggested further measures will reduce the problems to a satisfactory level and so promote the licensing objective of the prevention of public nuisance.”

The premises hold a licence allowing plays, films, live music, recorded music, performances of dance and provision for making music and dancing.

The current closing hours listed on Aqua’s website are 11pm, Sunday to Wednesday, midnight on Thursday and 2am Friday and Saturday.

Hennings Wharf neighbour David Holroyd said: “Clearly a lively busy quay will not always be totally silent. This was never our expectation.

“However, the thud of bass music until the early hours and the screaming and shouting as patrons disperse or are invited not to enter remains a bridge too far.”