AMIR Khan’s £11m “Dubai-style” wedding venue left neighbors furious as it blasted loud music, they claim.
The former boxer’s latest commercial venture in his hometown of Bolton has shaken locals since it opened after a huge decade of construction.
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Holding its first performance on Saturday, the flamboyant Balmayna upset residents of nearby terraced houses, with “hundreds of guests” cramming into the three-story building and blocking roads.
The location of the imposing glass-fronted building is a far cry from the UAE city, as it is next to a tire fitter, a car wash and various takeaways.
However, the interior feels luxurious, with marble floors, chandeliers, and a real waterfall — along with some plastic palm trees.
One resident – who said the location was a “strange place” for a wedding venue – said she was disturbed by loud music on opening night.
The anonymous owner said: “I’m also worried that this could generate too much traffic.
“It’s a concern because many families have more than one car and we already have parking problems.
“It’s a strange place to build such an extravagant wedding venue for hundreds of guests.”
The woman added that her family has lived in the area for 25 years and she would have preferred the former derelict land to be converted into a “green space for locals to enjoy”.
Another resident said she had no choice but to keep her windows closed last Saturday to avoid the noise.
“I was trying to watch TV, I heard someone playing music outside, but at first I didn’t realize there was a wedding.
“It seemed to start around 5pm and last until 9pm.
“I also saw cars circling the road outside. They were causing a bit of congestion and didn’t seem to know where they were going.”
She added: “We’ll just have to see what happens when they hold more weddings.
“Noise and traffic problems can bother some people.
“Personally, I’m not that bothered – but I don’t have a car anymore.
“I would be more concerned if the music continued until two or three in the morning.”
Other residents said they were not worried about Balmayna being so close to their homes.
Amir Khan’s business empire
WITH a fortune estimated at £40 million, Khan has made some wise decisions for a life after boxing.
His reality show Meet the Khans: Big in Bolton gave us a glimpse into his world with his wife Faryal Makhdoom and their family.
Khan is also co-owner of India’s Super Fight League, which has attracted hundreds of millions of viewers.
He also founded the Super Boxing League in India, which has a multi-million dollar TV deal with Sony ESPN.
The former world champion launched his own promotion company called Khan Promotions.
Khan’s first signing as promoter was English amateur champion Tal Singh.
And he will be able to pick local fighters from Bolton and Peterborough, as well as the surrounding area, thanks to his boxing academy, the Amir Khan Academy.
Khan also launched his gym in Islamabad with the aim of training Pakistani amateur boxers to compete in future Olympics.
Mohammed Mubashar Ecohsan, 42, described Khan as an “icon”, adding: “I am sure he followed all the correct protocols.
“The board should have looked at the potential problems.”
Ali Hai, 35, who runs the nearby RB Cornershop convenience store, said he hoped the location would attract extra customers.
“I think it’s good for businesses and the area in general,” he said.
“But I’m not sure all residents won’t have problems.”
The site has already been damaged by evictions and some residents have complained that it does not fit into the local area.
Some residents even complained about rats running through the streets.
Balmayna – named after the Arabic word for enamel – is a project between wedding and events company Excellency Midlands and 37-year-old Bolton-born Khan.
Khan received planning permission for the multi-million pound project in 2013.
But in the following years it was repeatedly hit by setbacks as costs soared to more than £11 million.
The venue has been contacted for comment.
Amir Khan’s boxing career
AMIR Khan rose to fame as an amateur, aged just 17, when he won a silver medal in the lightweight division at the 2004 Olympics, becoming Britain’s youngest ever Olympic boxing medalist.
He made his professional debut against David Bailey in July 2005.
In 2007, he was named ESPN’s prospect of the year.
He later became one of the youngest British professional world champions, winning the WBA title at the age of 22.
On December 6, 2008, Khan scored a comeback victory against Oisin Fagan with a second round stoppage; Khan won the vacant WBA International lightweight title.
It was announced on 8 April 2009 that Khan would move up to the light welterweight division to fight Andreas Kotelnik for the WBA light welterweight title on 18 July. Khan won by unanimous decision and became the third youngest Briton to win a world title, aged 22.
In early 2016, it was announced that Khan would move up two weight classes to middleweight to fight Canelo Álvarez.
Khan lost to Álvarez by knockout in the sixth round.
On 13 May 2022, Khan announced his retirement from boxing with a record of 34 wins from 40 fights.
Khan was banned for two years in April 2023, backdated to April 2022, after a doping test revealed the presence of ostarine following his fight against Kell Brook.
The court’s ruling in the case accepted Khan’s argument that the violation was unintentional.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
