A COWLEY Road Jamaican restaurant has been ordered to turn the music down by council bosses after complaints.

The Hi-Lo has lost its licence to play loud amplified and live music for up to three months or until sound proofing is fitted. It will instead only be allowed to play quieter background music, which does not require a licence.

The venue – famous for its reggae sounds – can also no longer request later opening hours from police for “function” events.

About 1,200 residents and patrons signed a petition supporting the premises, run by Janet and Hugh Anderson for 32 years.

But Oxford City Council environmental officer Karen Dixon said there had been “repeated complaints” about noise. Ten were recorded last year. She had “no confidence” further conditions would address concerns.

A noise abatement notice was served in June but did not stop the problems, with one complaint saying the music did not end until 3.15am on Saturday, December 3.

Thames Valley Police had not been asked to approve function nights last year as required by the licence, she said, a point disputed by the venue.

The council’s licensing sub-committee this month found sound insulation was “inadequate” and function nights had overrun.

But it was “not satisfied” alcohol and food serving times should be cut from 2am or 3am to 12.30am, as requested by Mrs Dixon.

Mr Anderson said: “It is a shame after all these years, but what can you do?”

Mrs Anderson said two residents in a neighbouring flat were the source of complaints but had since left. She acknowledged some DJ function nights went on too late.

She said: “We weren’t aware we were causing a problem but we decided to do something about it.”

Soundproofing work began in June and had cost more than £10,000, she said. It is likely to take another month.

She said of the drop in volume: “People ask us to turn it up. It has changed our lives. It is not the same atmosphere.”

East Oxford promoter and DJ Aidan Larkin got 1,183 signatures on the online petition, which called for the licence not to be changed. He said: “It shows the affection people have for the place.”