Locals say rowdy wedding ceremony bashes are blighting lives – company revving automobiles and letting off fireworks
Residents living close to Impression Events Venue in West Ham, East London have described the situation as a “nightmare” and want Newham Council to decide against renewing the venue’s licence
Locals residing near a wedding venue have complained that raucous parties have been disrupting their peace for years, with guests revving cars and setting off fireworks late into the night. Residents near Impression Events Venue in West Ham, East London, describe the situation as a “nightmare”.
They are urging Newham Council to reject the renewal of the venue’s licence at a hearing in January. Long-time locals, some of whom have lived in the area for nearly half a century, recall a time when it was peaceful.
Now, they claim they must endure hundreds of guests attending ‘two weddings a day’ during the summer season. Some residents report being threatened when attempting to reason with guests, and feel that both the council and police do little to discourage such behaviour.
One local, who suffers from lung conditions, recounts being told to “move to the country” if she didn’t like the parties, after informing flare-wielding party-goers that she was having an asthma attack. Others frequently find their vehicles damaged by guests, who are often seen in videos driving flashy cars in processions before weddings.
The venue, which used to be a working men’s club, reopened as a wedding venue around 2010. Carly Allen, a mother-of-one whose family has resided in the area for approximately 50 years, says her dog is ‘petrified’ to go outside when the weddings are taking place.
“We are just sick of it,” the 50 year old expressed. “In the summer, there’s a wedding every single day – sometimes twice a day.”
An 84-year-old resident, who has lived near the venue for over 30 years, penned a letter to Newham Council demanding the ‘awful’ venue be closed down.
In her correspondence to the licensing committee, she stated that despite attempting to engage with Impression’s management on ‘numerous occasions’, she had been ‘fobbed off as.
An elderly woman described herself as ‘an old lady whose peace and quiet doesn’t matter’. “The music from the venue bangs right into my windows, so much so that I can’t even watch the TV on full volume,” she penned.
She added: “I do not just want to oppose their license; I want this club shut down once and for all.”
It never goes on too late,” one woman said, defending it. “By 11 it’s all finished. The bride and groom come in the afternoon. I enjoy looking out and seeing the cars. I like it. If you keep your windows shut, you can’t hear it.”
A representative for Newham Council stated: “As the licensing authority, it would not be appropriate to comment ahead of the licensing committee meeting on January 12.”
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “We understand how instances of anti-social behaviour are upsetting to local communities and we take all reports extremely seriously.”
We are aware of reports of anti-social behaviour in the area around Hamilton Road, West Ham.
“Local officers have attended to investigate reports but no criminal offences or suspects have been identified.”
The majority of the reports relate to complaints about noise, parking or licensing matters. “These are matters for the local authority and we are working to support Newham Council.”
The Daily Star reached out to Impression Events who declined to give a statement.
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