A NIGHTCLUB has limited the number of people using its smoking area after complaints about noise.

Mayhem, in Warrior Square, Southend, had a complaint from nearby resident Robert Linggood.

He said smokers outside the club were causing a nuisance, prompting Southend Council to holda review. Mayhem is now limiting the number of people using the outside smoking area to 30 at a time.

Manager Gary Stokes said: “We’ve made some changes in the way we do things.

“We have signage advising customers of the residents and they are to keep the noise down.

“We are very conscious of the fact there are residents in the immediate location and we are happy to do everything to ensure they get a good night’s sleep.”

Other conditions imposed include providing a direct line to the management of the club, signs advising revellers they may be kicked out if they cause too much noise in the smoking area, a member of staff to check people in and out of the smoking area and staff are required to stay for half an hour after the club closes to make sure all customers leave.