Anger as raft of pubs apply for late-night licences

A RAFT of pubs in residential areas have applied this week for longer drinking hours under new licensing laws – prompting fears of sleepless nights and lawlessness on the streets of Camden.
Pubs in Highgate, Hampstead, Gospel Oak and Elm Village have asked for extending opening times.
On Monday, the Primrose Hill pub at the centre of a licensing row won the right to serve drinkers in to the early hours – fuelling fears that the council will give the go-ahead to similar applications.
This follows a bitter fight between neighbours worried about late night disorder and Princess of Wales publican Jane Symonds which came to a head in a Town Hall licensing meeting on Monday. A three-strong panel made up of Labour councillors Sue Vincent, Abdul Quadir and Tory Dawn Somper decided that despite objections – including nearly 100 letters against the plans – they had to give the pub the right to serve later into the night.
Cllr Sue Vincent said: “Although the residents have concerns about crime and noise, there is no evidence the pub has caused a nuisance and there has not been one complaint to the council. We can’t turn down the application because of fears of what might happen.”
And now objectors say the landmark ruling has set a precedent for other similar applications by Camden publicans. New licensing laws have scrapped traditional 11pm drinking-up times and pubs must apply for a new licence – and can decide what hours they wish to apply for. Jane Symonds, who has run the Princess for nine years, wanted to extend her opening times from the 11pm last orders bell to midnight on weekdays and 1am at the weekend.
She also wanted to keep her cellar bar – which she uses for quiz nights and private functions – open until 1am on weekdays and 2am on Friday and Saturday.
John Adams, who lives in near-by Fitzroy Road and who spoke on behalf of 43 of his neighbours at the meeting, said: “The interests of one pub have been given precedence over the residents of the street. This is a disastrous outcome, and will mean a green light for similar applications. Our pubs will no longer be a place for a quiet drink – it has become essentially a nightclub and others will follow.”
With more than 90 per cent of Camden pubs yet to apply for a licence – they have to get their forms in by the beginning of August – the Princess ruling is set to herald a summer of protests from people who have pubs in their street, added Mr Adams.
Other side street locals who have asked for extra hours include The Constitution in St Pancras Way, which wants to stay open until 3.30am on Fridays and Saturdays. Neighbours of the canal-side pub have opposed the plans.
Publican Wendy Clare said she would only use the extra time for special occasions.The Flask in Highgate West Hill has asked for a midnight finish through out the week, while the Bedlam Bar in Fitzjohn’s Avenue has asked for a 1am finish.
The Roebuck – opposite the Royal Free Hospital in Pond Street and popular with hospital staff – has requested a midnight closing time, while the Lord Southampton on Southampton Road, Gospel Oak, has gone for midnight closing through out the week and 1am on Fridays.