Former boxer Amir Khan wins fight with neighbours over his £11.5million Dubai-style wedding venue as it is granted late-night licence despite fears over noise and guests' cars
Former boxing champion Amir Khan has won approval for a late-night licence at his £11.5million Dubai-style wedding venue - despite uproar from nearby residents.
The four-floor glass-fronted venue - called The Balmayna - is located in Bolton and hosted its first wedding earlier this year.
But Khan, 37, and his business partners later applied for a licence to allow them to play music until 12.30am.
The venue, located near rows of terraced houses in Bolton, has previously sparked concerns from residents about noise and traffic.
One resident told a meeting of Bolton Council's licensing sub-committee: 'There are hundreds of cars, all of which is noise surrounding us. If this is going on how long is it going to take to get hundreds of cars off the car park?'
A look at Amir Khan 's luxury 'Dubai-style' wedding venue in his hometown of Bolton
The former welterweight and light-welterweight champion married model Faryal Makhdoom (right) in 2013
Another neigbour said she objected to allowing live music and dance performances as its would 'cause noise and be disturbing'.
Despite fresh objections from locals, councillors decided to approve the application.
Mohammad Jaberansari, director of Khan's business partners Excellency Plaza, told the licensing sub-committee meeting that he wanted The Balmayna to be 'brought back to life' and be the 'best wedding venue' in Bolton and the North West.
Mr Jaberansari said there will be no alcohol inside the venue for 'religious reasons' and there would be no fireworks outside, at any time, within a 'one-mile radius'.
A £2,000 deposit - payable for events - would be lost if there were fireworks, he added.
The venue's licence application said it would 'accommodate weddings of many faiths, together with the hosting of hospitality events'.
It added: 'Activities will be predominantly based on the ground and first floor, but the intention is to expand licensable activities (regulated entertainment only) to cover all floors.'
A CCTV system will be maintained to prevent crime and disorder and 'prominent signage' at key exit points will ask guests 'to respect neighbouring properties and leave the premises quietly'.
'Noise monitoring' will also be carried out to ensure live or recorded music playing in the venue doesn't become a nuisance.
The venue, which took more than a decade to build, has already been blighted by fly-tipping.
Its design has split locals - with some impressed by its similarity to skyscrapers in Dubai, where Khan spends half of his year.
Some have slammed it as 'tacky' and too much like an 'office building.
Others have even likened it to the Premier League trophy.
Khan has been planning to build the venue since 2013 in a bid to 'make Bolton better'
Khan retired in 2022 after his knockout defeat to rival Kell Brook before failing a drugs test
Khan's new venue is near two car washes and an auto body shop, as well as residential streets in Bolton
The building, which is now open for bookings, is seen from the back next to a carpark
The building is seen from a distance near a car wash site and fly tipping site
A filthy old mattress nd an abandoned suitcase are seen among huge piles of rubbish near The Balmayna
The Balmayna hosted its first wedding in May, this year, with the bride arriving in a horse-drawn carriage serenaded by violinists.
The four-floor glass-fronted building in Bolton boasts marble floors, chandeliers and a real-life waterfall - along with some plastic palm trees.
The venue - 'where dreams blossom into reality' - is close to a tyre fitters, a car wash and several takeaways.
Residents have previously described the location as a 'odd place' for a luxury wedding venue and have complained about loud music and traffic issues.
And the venue, which took more than a decade to build, has also been blighted by fly-tipping.
But other residents have welcomed the glitzy venue, saying it will be good for the area and local businesses.
Khan received planning permission for the multi-million project in 2013 but in the following years it was repeatedly rocked by setbacks as costs spiralled to more than £11m.
The Balmayna's website describes it as the 'perfect' venue for weddings.
It says: 'Step into a world of natural beauty and elegance.'
The luxury complex comes complete with glass walls, a waterfall and palm trees
One room has been unveiled, with sofas and an armchair around a posh table
On top of it are books about designers Chanel and Louis Vuitton, plus butterflies in a domed display case
Images from the wedding in May showed the building's lavish marble floors and chandeliers
Water features and palm tress are visible inside and outside the building located in Bolton
Guests at the lavish Dubai-style tower in Bolton were serenaded by violins in front of plastic palm trees
The first couple to be married at Amir Khan's £11.5million wedding venue in May arrived via a horse-drawn carriage and Rolls Royce
Guests were served fruit canapés as they arrived at the luxury venue
'The Balmayna boasts a stunning floral garden theme, seamlessly blending nature's charm with contemporary design. The highlight is our real-life waterfall feature within the hall, creating a truly magical atmosphere.
'Our commitment to excellence is reflected in the state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, elevating your wedding experience to new heights.'
Both Bolton Council and The Balmayna were contacted for comment.
