Aberdeen nightclub Aura has warned it could be forced to close as bosses’ plea for a later opening time was rejected.
The Bridge Place venue only launched last September, following a £400,000 revamp.
But already the city’s biggest nightclub is struggling”.
Management sought permission to remain open for an additional hour from Sunday to Thursday to help remain afloat.
Owner Tony Cochrane, the impresario behind Club Tropicana in Aberdeen and Dundee along with other venues across Scotland, asked the council to trade until 3am on those days.
But when licensing chiefs were asked to decide on the application, they heard from a neighbour determined to stop any extension of the hours…
‘Nightclubs are struggling very badly’
Mr Cochrane’s solicitor Archie MacIver argued the change was needed due to the “harsh reality of commercial life”.
“To say that trade at the moment is challenging is probably an understatement,” he admitted.
“Nightclubs in particular are struggling very badly to the extent that the viability of the operation has been called into question.”
He blamed a “whole variety of reasons” for the difficulties including the cost-of-living crisis, staffing, and utility costs – which he said had “gone through the roof”.
Why does Aberdeen nightclub Aura need to stay open until 3am?
It was said the extra hour would allow the Aberdeen club to cater for privately promoted events such as business-boosting visits from DJs.
He also said the change at the student hotspot could allow weekly fundraising events to be held in conjunction with the city’s two universities each Wednesday.
‘Having to close would be a tragedy’
Mr MacIver pleaded with the board to back the call for the extra hour to prevent the club closing its doors for good.
The solicitor added: “It would be a tragedy after the history that they’ve had for so many years, if they were to close and we would have yet another boarded up property in the city centre.
“Premises have already shut in the city, we don’t want to see another one but the harsh reality is the figures don’t lie.
“We’re trying to push a boulder up a hill now to make ends meet and assistance is urgently required… They are struggling.”
Why did neighbour oppose the change?
Despite there having been a nightclub there for decades, one resident who moved to the area says its location made his life a misery.
The letter, which has been redacted to conceal the objector’s identity, explained that they have previously written to the council “regarding the music from this venue”.
The statement continues: “I feel an increase in opening hours would significantly affect my tenants and own mental health.
“Improvements were made following my previous complaint 2019/20.
“But I have since moved out and rented it due to being unable to sleep in my own property, due to the floor and walls vibrating because of the music in the nightclub.”
Fears about revellers ‘dancing in the streets’ at 3am
The letter goes on to claim that subsequent tenants have also moved out “due to the noise of the music affecting their mental health due to the lack of quality of sleep”.
The objection argues that later opening hours would result in more revellers visiting, and then potentially causing a ruckus as they depart.
The mystery objector raises fears about people “singing and dancing in the streets” when residents “have to get up a few hours later for work”.
‘We have no knowledge of noise complaints’
However, Mr MacIver fought back saying he and his clients had “no knowledge” of any noise complaints – and pointed out the previous issue dates back five years.
He said there had been “no interaction” with any neighbours since the Aura revamp.
The lawyer said: “We have no knowledge of that, and no interaction in a negative way with environmental health.”
And he argued the building being on a slope meant that the property in question is several storeys above the exit.
What did the police say?
Police feared other late night venues would copy Aberdeen club’s idea, leading to 3am closing times becoming the weeknight norm.
They also claimed that the extra hour could increase the risk of alcohol-fuelled violence and disorder that would put additional pressure on police teams.
The club latterly operated as Atik, until it closed in May last year before reopening as Aura four months later.
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Why was Aberdeen nightclub Aura’s application refused?
However the club’s appeal wasn’t enough to convince members of the board.
Convener Neil Copland said he had “every sympathy” for the tough trading conditions but noted this was something that other operators in the city also faced.
Mr Copland said the closure warning was not a “compelling” reason to grant the change.
He added: “Personally, I don’t think you’ve made a compelling enough argument for us to depart from our policy.”
The application was then unanimously refused.
Mr MacIver raised the prospect of re-applying within the next year as the discussion ended.
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