THE mayor of Ely has been left with no choice but to scale back her weekly music events, designed to boost the economy in the city, because neighbours have complained about the noise.

Ely Standard: Acts from the June 22 Summer Saturday event in ElyActs from the June 22 Summer Saturday event in Ely (Image: Archant)

Launched back in May, Cllr Elaine Griffin-Singh’s Summer Saturday events have seen a host of music, dance and dramatic performances take place from 6-10pm in the city’s Market Place, attracting scores of spectators.

The mayor set up the weekly events in the hope it would “encourage spending in the city centre, enhance the night-time economy and to build the community,” but despite their modest success, complaints have forced her to think again.

She said: “We have now run five Saturday nights and, although the weather has not looked promising, we have had a nice crowd of regular attendees and some super entertainment from local, and not so local, performers.

“Unfortunately, I have also received regular complaints regarding the noise from residents in the vicinity of the Market Place, which is causing me to have a re-think. “On balance; slightly disappointing numbers, the continuing unsettled weather coupled with not wanting to upset residents, I have decided to reduce the number of events.”

On Saturday, the mayor will welcome a host of musical acts from Cambridge, performing everything from country to blues, for another night of free entertainment on the Market Place.

Instead of running weekly until mid September, there will now only be two more events, on August 17 and September 7.

Cllr Griffin-Singh said: “Please put these dates in your diary and help me welcome these performers who are offering their time and talents free of charge to entertain us all on the Market Place.”