A KINGSBRIDGE resident has reached out to the Gazette to complain about the noise levels from Kings Cinema, which he says is ‘worse than the Falklands, I was there’.

The resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that he had complained ‘on numerous occasions’ to the cinema over the ‘severity of the level of noise in the cinema creates in the adjacent flat, which I rent' since Merlins took it over.

He continued: ‘This has been going on for months and months with no resolve. Its simple - all the money you’ve got, get it sound-proofed so I can sleep. The work I do is very dangerous, therefore I need a good night’s sleep. The severe noise that the cinema puts out through its surround sound system is unbearable. Seven nights a week from 9pm until approximately 11pm.

‘Merlins have been told by Environmental Health to “react” due to the serious noise problem, as have Kingsbridge Feofees who rent the building to Merlins, but still the racket continues.’

Alex Jones, operations manager at Merlins Cinema who took over the cinema in July 2015, said that the situation was ‘in hand’ and they were investigating which of the three theatres in the building could be causing the problem.

‘It’s odd’, said Mr Jones, ‘the cinema has been there for years and although we’ve changed the sound system, it is now digital so we can reduce or uplift the sound and new acoustic wall panels means that inside the cinema, the noise is no louder than it was before.’

He wondered if the problem was ‘due to windows being left open or ventilation during the summer’ as they had ‘no mention’ from residents in the last year - despite another resident being in contact with Merlins about noise since September 2015.

Mr Jones said he was waiting for the report from SHDC Environmental Health and until then they don’t know which screen is causing the problem. ‘There’s no point in us putting in a big sound insulation board on one wall to find out that the problem is coming from another place’.

He added that a new air conditioning system was being installed in September and that might create an opportunity to add new acoustic panels.

South Hams Council’s Environmental Health department are currently in an enforcement process with Merlins and have sent a letter to the company. A spokesperson for SHDC said: ‘We are aware of the complaint and have started formal discussions with the owners of the cinema.

‘We are currently investigating the situation which may lead to a noise abatement notice being served or a review of their licence.’

A spokesman on behalf of the trustees of Kingsbridge Feoffees said: ‘The Trustees are aware of the noise complaints and of course take these very seriously. Steps have been taken through the correct channels to deal with the problem.

‘Merlin Cinemas are in contact with the Environmental Health Department at SHDC and are waiting for information from them before taking further action.’