More trouble for historic Fuse nightclub as strictest noise restrictions back in place

Fuse nightclub, the oldest club of its type in all of Belgium, is finding itself back at square one amid an ongoing battle with a new neighbour who wants the club to keep the volume down.

The Brussels region's environmental committee has overturned the latest decision by Brussels Environment, which had allowed Fuse some flexibility to make late-night noise.

Fuse announced it would close its doors back in January because it was “impossible to run a nightclub” after it was forced to comply with strict standards.

Brussels Environment had decided, after complaints from a new-to-the-area neighbour, to impose a noise standard of 95 decibels and ask Fuse to close its doors at 2.00.

Fuse lodged an appeal at the end of January, after which Brussels Environment amended its decision. There would be a two-year transition period during which Fuse would be allowed to open twice a week between midnight and 7.00, with a limit of 90 events a year, and the noise standard would vary according to the crowds and hours of opening.

The environmental college has now quashed that transition period.

According to them, the decision involved a change in the conditions of the environmental permit, a competence of the City of Brussels. Brussels Environment can only decide on a partial or complete closure, the environmental college ruled.

“This brings us back to the original situation,” explained Brussels Environment, meaning Fuse may reopen under the rules of the original environmental permit.

It is not good news for the nightclub. Noise standards must be strictly complied with as stated in the decrees on neighbourhood noise, classified establishments and amplified noise.

As soon as there is a complaint from a neighbour and the standards are found to have been exceeded, Brussels Environment will again have to take action against the historic club.