A PUB has won a public entertainment licence despite complaints by residents over noise from the premises on music nights.

But new owners of The Jug, in Durham City, have pledged to do everything possible to prevent noise escaping through the doors, windows and walls of the Claypath hostelry.

Durham City Council's licensing panel yesterday granted a public entertainment licence, allowing music and dancing at The Jug, from 11am to 11pm, between Monday and Saturday.

But the licence will only be issued once environmental health officers are satisfied that a series of conditions have been met.

These include the introduction of "an effective management procedure" to ensure doors and windows remain closed when music is playing, including fitting of alarms on fire doors to alert staff when they are open.

It follows concerns of mainly elderly residents in nearby apartment complexes, Claypath Court and Blue House Court, over loud noise on pub band nights under previous management.

Eight letters opposing the entertainment licence, sent to the council by unnamed objectors, referred to "unbearable noise" from the premises, particularly on summer evenings, including occasions when the police have been called.

Following yesterday's hearing, city licensing officer Jane Kevan said: "I suppose we have reached a form of compromise. Providing the applicants satisfy environmental health, and the conditions complied with, then the licence will be issued.

"Because it is a listed building, they have been given a little time to sort things out."

The Jug was recently taken over by franchisees Fox Caf Bars, which applied for a new public entertainment licence, as the previous one expired last June.

Company secretary Eddie Potter confirmed everything would be done to comply with the conditions to enable mainly jazz nights to be held at the pub, usually on evenings between Thursday and Saturday.

"We want to create a relaxed informal atmosphere with Louisiana-style menu and pleasant jazz music," he said. "The last thing we want to do is upset our neighbours. We hope to do all we can to prevent noise emitting from the premises."

Among measures taken is the addition of baffles to limit the noise of electric fans, while an air-conditioning system will also be installed.