BOSSES at a Port town centre pub have been warned it could lose its licence over a string of noise complaints from upstairs neighbours.

Caledonian Bar owner David Carroll was called before the board for a review after an investigation was carried out over the din being experienced by people in flats upstairs when live acts, including top radio DJ George Bowie, were playing at the Princes Street bar.

An environmental health officer who was involved in the probe said it was the worst case she'd experienced in over 30 years in the job.

But licensee Mr Carroll argued that he did everything possible as part of a £100,000 refurbishment to minimise noise, with soundproofing and offers to carry out work to reduce the noise.

Cecilia Conway, who owned a flat above the premises - formerly a betting shop - spoke at the hearing about the problems.

She said: "My tenant had been living there with her daughter and there had never been a problem before.

"It was horrendous and she was so stressed.

"She couldn't sleep and had to go elsewhere then had to move out.

"I have no idea why a licence was granted for live music in a place which is residential.

"There was noise, anti-social behaviour, girls fighting, doors banging and smokers outside making a noise.

"I had rented out the flat for 13 years and there was never problem before it was a pub.

"There was no way I could rent the flat out again, and I was told having the pub below would knock £25,000 off the price."

Mrs Conway told the hearing that she had in the end sold the flat to Mr Carroll.

The businessman, a furniture store owner, opened the Caledonian in December 2019 and secured a licence for live acts.

An abatement notice was served on him following incidents from December 2019 to January 2020 amid complaints about noise.

A review of his licence was launched, but the hearing was delayed because of the pandemic.

Police Scotland made a submission stating that they had been called to the pub five times as a result of complaints and made seven more visits during this period.

On each occasion they considered the noise in the bar was at an acceptable level and stated there were no problems inside.

But environmental officer Sharon Lindsay, who was asked to carry out an investigation into the noise complaints, said: "A complaint had been lodged by the tenant, I was on call on January 11 and I went out.

"In my 32 years working I have never heard a noise like it.

"I certainly couldn't have slept in it.

"It was in fact discovered there was a void with no insulation."

When asked by board member Councillor Tommy McVey to put the noise on a scale of one-10, Ms Lindsay said she felt it was a 10.

But Mr Carroll's legal representative Stephen McGowan disputed the version of events put to the hearing.

He said the tenant had made 'vexatious' complaints and claimed they had been causing problems before the Caledonian Bar even opened.

Mr McGowan said: "My client did everything possible to smooth this over.

"He offered mediation and also stated that he would do work in the flat.

"He went over and above the legal requirement when putting in the soundproofing.

"He has invested £100,000 in this venue with £20,000 on a sound system.

"Police Scotland said there were no issues whatsoever with the way the pub was being run."

The legal representative went on to claim that his client had been at the receiving end of abusive behaviour from the tenant.

The owner of the Caledonian Bar stated they had to make a complaint after claiming the tenant came in shouting and swearing and was abusive to staff on more than one occasion.

Police Scotland confirmed at the hearing that a report had been sent to the procurator fiscal with regards to a breach of the peace in the bar.

Following consideration of the case Mr McGowan moved that the grounds for a review had not been established, but this was rejected by the licensing board.

Following private deliberations and further debate, board member Councillor Jim McEleny's proposed that the Caledonian Bar be issued with a warning letter.

His motion was passed and the bar has been instructed to liaise with environmental health over noise levels.