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Neighbours fume over Amir Khan’s £11m wedding venue booming out 'noisy music'

26 May 2024 , 10:20
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Locals moan of fly tipping and rats at the venue
Locals moan of fly tipping and rats at the venue

AMIR Khan's £11million "Dubai-style" wedding venue has left neighbours fuming as it booms out noisy music, they claim.

The former boxer's latest business venture in his hometown of Bolton has rattled locals since being open after a whopping decade build.

Amir Khan, pictured with wife Faryal Makhdoom, hosted the first wedding at his new venue last week eiqrtiquikdprw
Amir Khan, pictured with wife Faryal Makhdoom, hosted the first wedding at his new venue last weekCredit: Jam Press
The Balmayna opened this month after a 10-year build
The Balmayna opened this month after a 10-year buildCredit: STEVE ALLEN
The former boxer has tried to give it a Dubai-feel by putting in fake palm trees
The former boxer has tried to give it a Dubai-feel by putting in fake palm treesCredit: STEVE ALLEN
Alley ways behind the venue were recently blighted by fly tippers
Alley ways behind the venue were recently blighted by fly tippersCredit: STEVE ALLEN

Hosting its first do on Saturday, the extravagant Balmayna disturbed residents in nearby terraced houses with "hundreds of guests" piling into the three-storey building and blocking roads.

The imposing glass-fronted building's location is a far-cry from the United Arab Emirates' city as it stands next to a tyre fitters, a car wash and several takeaways.

Inside however looks lavish boasting marble floors, chandeliers and a real-life waterfall - along with some plastic palm trees.

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One resident - who said the location was an “odd place” for the wedding venue - said she’d been disturbed by loud music on its opening night.

The anonymous homeowner said: "I’m also worried it might lead to too much traffic.

“It is a concern because lots of families have more than one car and we have parking problems already.

“It’s an odd place to build such an extravagant wedding venue for hundreds of guests.”

The woman added that her family had lived in the area for 25 years and she would have preferred the former brownfield site to be converted into a “green space for locals to enjoy”.

Another resident said she had no choice but to keep her windows closed last Saturday to shut out the noise.

“I was trying to watch TV, I heard someone playing music outside but I didn’t realise there was a wedding on at first.

“It seemed to start around 5pm and last until 9pm.

“I also saw cars turning around in the road outside. They were causing a bit of congestion and didn’t seem to know where they were going.”

She added: “We’ll just have to see what happens when they have more weddings.

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“The noise and traffic issues could bother some people.

“Personally, I’m not that bothered - but I don’t have a car any more.

“I’d be more worried if the music goes on to two or three in the morning.”

Other residents said they weren’t concerned about The Balmayna being so close to their homes.

Mohammed Mubashar Ecohsan, 42, described Khan as an “icon”, adding: “I am sure he’s followed all the correct protocols.

“The council must have looked at the potential problems.”

Ali Hai, 35, who runs the nearby RB Cornershop convenience store, said he hoped the venue would bring in extra customers.

“I think it’s good for businesses and good for the area in general,” he said.

“But I’m not sure all the residents won’t have problems.”

The venue has previously been blighted by fly-tipping and some residents have complained that it doesn’t fit in with the local area.

Some locals even moaned of rats scurrying around the streets.

The Balmayna - named after the Arabic word for enamelled - is a project between weddings and events company Excellency Midlands and Bolton-born Khan, 37.

Khan received planning permission for the multi-million project in 2013.

But in the following years it was repeatedly rocked by setbacks as costs spiralled to more than £11m.

The venue was contacted for comment.

Morgan Johnson

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