“Bar in Cologne Forced to Close over Alleged Noise Pollution Complaints”

Curious posse in Cologne: Because the music is coming from modern loudspeakers in a bar in Neuehrenfeld, the building authorities have the shop closed.

The Schulz pub on Landmannstrasse in Neuehrenfeld is to close. As initially reported by the “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger”, residents’ complaints about alleged noise pollution had called the building supervision of the city of Cologne into action. And they now want to close the shop – on the basis of a building permit from 1988. According to the report, this would see the restaurant operating as a “wine shop-bistro with music from the cassette recorder and table talk at room volume”.

According to the building inspector, it is illegal for the bar to be run as a pub serving beer and music from modern loudspeakers. What is curious about this is that there has been a pub in the locale for decades, under different names. Now the restaurant is to give way, although the city of Cologne has granted the operator a license for six years.

According to the “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger”, the building inspectorate only found out that the shop was being used as a restaurant after complaints from residents about noise. In some cases, complaints were also brought forward by lawyers. Then the building inspector evaluated the corresponding old files and initiated a regulatory procedure because there was no building permit for use as a pub.

As the “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger” quotes a spokeswoman for the city, the building supervisory authority is required “to take action against illegally built or used structures or parts of the system with the aim of stopping use.” That’s why the “Schulz” must now close on June 28, 2023. If the tenants do not comply with this requirement, a fine of 1,000 euros will be due.