COUNCILLORS have ordered a city pub to turn its music off by 11pm after residents complained of repeated noise disturbance.

The Showman, in Cowick Street, had its licence reviewed by city councillors yesterday.

The pub, which recently changed hands, has been the subject of an environmental health investigation following reports of noise coming from inside and outside it.

Councillors had the option of shutting down the pub, suspending its licence, removing the management or prohibiting an activity at the premises.

Following the review yesterday, the committee asked the pub's management to ensure that entertainment noise did not exceed a certain level and that any music should be stopped by 11pm.

The new owners claimed the complaints were made before they took over the pub, and said they were co-operating with police and environmental health officers.

David and Melanie Layfield took over the running of The Showman at the start of April.

Bob Norley, head of environmental health services at Exeter City Council, said: "The complaints have been to do with a number of issues. Noise from the jukebox and events like karaoke have been transmitting through the pub to adjoining residential properties.

"There has also been disturbance with people congregating outside the premises.

"A number of the complaints were received before the changeover in management, but there have still been some problems.

"Environmental health officers have investigated the complaints of noise and we have used sound-recording devices, evidence of which will be presented at the licensing hearing."

Chair of the licensing sub-committee Councillor Rob Newby said: "The pub is going to make some extensive changes with the establishment to make it more neighbour-friendly.

"It was an agreeable outcome to the meeting."

A spokeswoman from Exeter City Council said: "Between the request to review The Showman pub's licence and the committee meeting, the council's environmental health officers and the pub's licensees have discussed measures to address the problems raised.

"The licensing committee considered these conditions, and agreed that they would be appropriate.

"It is now for the licensee to adopt the measures to continue to retain the licence.

"Measures include carrying out acoustic works before any more entertainments are held — and that, even when this has been done, music must stop by 11pm."

No one from The Showman was available to comment.