SPOTTED DOG BARKS BACK IN DIGBETH CAMPAIGN

23-07-2007

The Stirrer's campaign to Keep Digbeth Vibrant has now taken the form of an online petition - organised by a resident of the Abacus apartments close to the Spotted Dog pub which has been served with a Noise Abatement Order.

It’s a significant development, not least because the complaints which forced landlord John Tighe to curtail entertainment in the Dog’s back garden also came from people who lived in Abacus.

As The Stirrer has suggested before, there are clearly many people who have moved to the area precisely because it has decent nightlife - and they don’t want it silenced.

To sign, go to www.keepdigbethvibrant.co.uk

In the meantime, Tighe has been trying to find out the basis of the Order served against him - and claims that environmental health officers didn’t take metered decibel readings.

Apparently, an officer’s subjective opinion was deemed sufficient.

Tighe,then asked to see the full report made against him - not an unreasonable request, you might think, given that it has cost him considerable sums of money.

Butthis entirely fair request has been rejectedout of hand.

He has nowlodgedanappeal against the Noise Abatement Order - which should, in theory, be lifted until the case is heard.

Except that he’s been warned him that if he starts exercising his right to have musical events in the garden again, Environmental Health will seek to have his licence immediately revoked on the grounds that he’s causing a public disturbance.

We asked him if he felt he was being victimised?

“Yes” he said. “I get the impression that they resent the fact that I won’t accept that I can’t have any music. But it’s not my responsibility.

"They should be talking to their own Planning Department and asking them why they didn’t allow for the fact that I was here when Abacus was built.”

(To see our original story, click here)

(And for the follow-up, click here)

Join the “Spotted Dog Leads The Way To A Quiet Digbeth” thread on our Message Board.