A PETITION to save The Hush Club events at a Southbourne cliff-top cafe has received more than 2000 signatures. 

A petition titled 'preserve the Biannual Hush Club Event in Southbourne' was set up after claims that BCP Council decided to discontinue the events at Cafe Riva on Boscombe Overcliff Drive.

The events, which began after the Covid-19 pandemic, have proven popular among residents and celebrated for their ability to 'bring together residents of all ages including families.'

A resident campaigning in support of the Hush Club, Duncan Crossland, said: "A campaign on social media has ignited widespread community action, with residents voicing their dissatisfaction.

"One poignant comment from a Facebook user capturing this sentiment: 'What a real shame. Those events bring everyone together, families, young and older people.' They continued by saying: 'I am sad that a few can stop this for everyone, so unfair!'

"It was pointed out by one Facebook user that ironically BCP were happy to have images of the Hush Club playing at Cafe Riva in their 'Feels Like' campaign and they have now singled them out as unsuitable."

The Hush Club announced on August 9 with a 'heavy heart' that its event for the 2024 Bournemouth Airshow would be its last at Cafe Riva.

The club stated that environmental health had labelled Cafe Riva as an 'unsuitable act for the venue' which led to a myriad of responses.

Portfolio holder for housing and regulatory services at BCP Council, Kieron Wilson, has responded that responsibility for any decision to discontinue The Hush Club should be taken by the businesses involved and not the council.

Cllr Wilson continued to explain that investigations are ongoing into noise complaints. 

He said: "Any decision to discontinue The Hush Club at Café Riva was made by the business and not by the council.”

“The Environmental Health Team are investigating complaints about noise from The Hush Club events occasionally hosted by Café Riva in Southbourne and officers have been working closely with the business to provide advice on noise management to ensure that they prevent a statutory noise nuisance as set out in legislation.”

The petition can be found on Change.org.