There were Tears for Fears for Non-Zero’s after it was just seconds away from having its music licence removed.
The popular Castle Street concert venue has been involved in a long-running spat with the restaurant beneath it, the Jack and Jones, over noise.
There had been a truce between the owners of the Jack and Jones and Dave Neill, the owner of Non-Zero’s, but this was short-lived and the restaurant has since changed hands for the third time.
And, at a highly-charged meeting of licensing board, convener Dave Bowes tabled a motion calling for Non-Zero’s to have its music licence removed.
He said: “This is a difficult situation. But this has been going on for months. The board has been quite patient with you.
“Having been there myself (and heard the noise), if I were a patron of the restaurant I would not be happy. I am recommending revoking the music licence.”
Mr Neill, the owner of Non-Zero’s, was visibly shaken by Mr Bowes comments, having said that such a decision would “shut me down.”
He also highlighted the difficulties in reaching an agreement with the restaurant owners, given the premises has changed hands again.
He said: “There has always been transfer of sound, as you know. The point I have to make is that taking away my live music will shut me down.
“To put the complaints of a few people a week over an entire business seems unreasonable. There is now way that I can pay the huge amount tens of thousands for sound proofing.
“Part of the problem of the transfer of sound is the restaurants roof. There is no way to commit (to working with them on that) if there is a revolving door.
“I don’t know what is going on down there. To choose a few more per cent for them over my entire business seems excessive.”
In a dramatic turn of events, however, the board did not back Mr Bowes’ decision.
Councillor Brian Gordon said: “This is the nuclear option. We had arguments from the restaurant about (the noise) affecting their business.
“But I was there on Saturday, and despite the protestations of the previous owners about trade dropping off, they were fully booked.
“People were even queuing up for tables.
“So I think we may be being a bit rash here and because of the things that have been happening with the restaurant, we should allow this to continue and take no action.”
Councillor Gordon received support from the board and they will review the licence at a later date, or if there are further complaints.