New research points to Edingburgh's "inaudibility policy" as the cause for the decline in live music

A new report published by Edinburgh University has found that 44% of musicians in the Scottish capital have had problems related to the city's strict noise restrictions in the last twelve months. As a result, council leaders have pledged to review rules stating that all live music in the city must be "inaudible" to nearby homes. The Edinburgh Live Music Census also found that live music is worth £40 million to the local economy, with music fans spending on average £1,120 each a year on nights out in the city's venues. But this, say researchers, is being hindered by the local council's current strict rules on noise, which are acting as a "handbrake" on the development of the city's live music scene - and some venues have stopped putting on live music altogether. The local authority's rules and 10 year old draconian "inaudibility policy" mean that just one noise complaint will trigger an investigation into a venue and its licence.