CHANNEL Four newsreader Jon Snow has waded into the row over late opening hours for pubs – after a series of late night applications.
Mr Snow has called on licensers to block a bid by bosses at The Torriano pub in Torriano Avenue, Kentish Town, to stay open until 1am at weekends and midnight during the week.
The pub is close to his home in Torriano Cottages.
In a letter to the council, Mr Snow said: “This extension would seriously affect the lives of all residents in this location.
“This is a particularly dense residential area, the back walls of the Torriano together with the small terrace are within feet of people’s bedrooms. As it is we have had to make numerous complaints to noise patrol officers for gross noise nuisance. If this licence is granted it will seriously impair the quality of life for both private and Camden residents of this neighbourhood. Please reject it.”
Mr Snow’s plea is part of a series of protest letters that have gathered at the Town Hall since landlord Dean Guberina revealed plans to keep the pub open later.
Mr Guberina said that notices were posted on the pub walls to remind drinkers to leave quietly and customers would be encouraged to use registered taxis where required.
A meeting to decide the application was due to be held at the Town Hall last night (Wednesday) but was postponed until later this month.
It is one of the first 50 applications from pubs and clubs to vary opening hours under the government’s new licensing regime which scrapped fixed serving times and paved the way for round-the-clock drinking. Residents’ fears had previously been centred on big chain pubs operating in drinking hotspots such as Camden Town, Covent Garden and Finchley Road, Swiss Cottage.
But the initial applications to increase hours under the new rules have come from pubs found off the beaten track.
In the past four weeks, the New Journal has already revealed the tension surrounding a bid by the Princess of Wales in Chalcott Road, Primrose Hill, to stay open later. The issue has not yet been resolved by licensers.
Meanwhile, The Junction Tavern in Fortess Road, Tufnell Park, was granted permission by councillors last Wednesday to stay open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays and midnight in midweek – despite letters of concern from neighbours.
And yesterday (Wednesday) landlady Wendy Clare at The Constitution in St Pancras Way, Camden Town, confirmed she wanted to keep her pub serving until the early hours.
Ms Clare is looking to push the boundaries further than any application so far by securing the right to keep the pub open at weekends to a 3.30 am finish. She said: “Extended hours will give me the flexibility to remain open for special events such as birthday parties or major sporting events or if a coach party arrives late and want a drink or two. The regulars are 100 per cet for extended hours.”