THE owner of a live music venue is concerned a proposed housing development could silence his business.

Brian Maher has run the Marr’s Bar in Pierpont Street since March 2000 but is worried plans to convert a disused nextdoor office building into a 14-bedroom house of multiple occupancy could lead to rows with residents over noise and force him to close.

Mr Maher said: “This business greatly contributes and enhances the cultural community and reputation for the city of Worcester and will be jeopardised if permission for a house of multiple occupancy is granted for the building next door.”

He has seen other venues in the city and further afield lose their music licence or go into administration following complaints, and is awaiting dissenting voices from those living in new accommodation opposite the club.

“On that occasion, I did manage to get a condition put on the application ensuring the developers installed mechanical ventilation and thicker glazing to help eradicate any noise and disturbance from the street below, as my customers must legally stand outside to smoke since the smoking ban.”

But, he says the conditions were not adhered to and believes complaints may follow in the summer months when people have their windows open.

The three-storey, grade two listed building next to the venue has been empty since July 2010 and Principle Design Building Consultancy, of Sansome Walk, Worcester, acting on behalf of applicants Worcester Properties, Lickey, Birmingham, say there is a higher demand for housing for students and professionals than office space.

A noise impact assessment carried out by Sound Planning of Farnham, Surrey, raised concerns about the proximity of the club. It said that the current 4mm glazing could be retained, with a secondary glazing introduced 12mm inside the existing glass, along with a thickness of 4mm for daytime rooms and 10mm for night time rooms.

Mr Maher said: “The Marr’s Bar is licensed to operate until 4am and it would be totally unreasonable to expect people to live next door to this kind of business. No matter what sound proofing is installed, we would never eradicate all noise issues concerning an adjoining building, and granting permission for the proposed change of use would definitely adversely affect my business.”

Under the proposals, which city council planning chief Paul O’Connor has recommended for approval, the property would be split into two dwellings, with the front property having eight bedrooms, two kitchen/living rooms, four showers, cinema room and gym. The rear section would have six bedrooms, kitchen, living room, dining room, snug, toilet, bathroom and shower room, with both having use of external cycle storage, refuse storage and amenity space.

The plans are due to be discussed by Worcester City Council’s planning committee in the Guildhall on Thursday.