Prevention is always better than cure as far as noise nuisance is concerned. Selecting a good site location will save a lot of financial expenditure / burden caused by providing additional noise mitigation measures at later days, potential loss of business revenue for carrying out modification, mitigation measures and even standing against prosecution. If liquor licensed premises are chosen at non-noise sensitive location (e.g. within a commercial building without any residence around), fewer residents will be affected by noise from the activities undertaken at the licensed premises and hence fewer noise concerns or complaints will be anticipated
If the licensed premises is located in a noise sensitive location (e.g. surrounded by many residential buildings or within a mixed commercial /residential building), local residents may be adversely affected by noise generated from activities within the premises. Under such circumstance, the owner or applicant may need to pay extra effort and financial expenditures to mitigate the noise nuisance. In some situations, the licensed premises even may not have sufficient space for carrying out effective remedial mitigation measures.
Therefore, it is highly recommended that applicants for liquor licence should seek prior advice from acoustic experts in siting the premises in a non-noise sensitive location. For more information, applicant can refer to "DOs and DON'Ts for applying liquor or club liquor licence" published by the Liquor Licensing Board (http://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/LLB_web/llb_appy_dodont.pdf) and "A Guide to Application for Liquor Licences and Club Liquor Licences" published by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (http://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/forms/ll-nt.html).