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| Victory for pub protest |
Pembroke Castle loses late bid
OPPONENTS to late drinking in Primrose Hill – including
a leading scientist, a hospital surgeon and a porn publisher –
claimed victory yesterday (Wednesday) when one of the area’s
best-known pubs was told to forget about extending its opening hours.
Bosses at the Pembroke Castle in Gloucester Avenue saw their bid
to to keep a function room open until 1.30am throughout the week
thrown out by licensing chiefs.
A bid to keep the main bar open until midnight was also spiked at
the Town Hall.
Leading the objections were Tom Selwyn – veteran campaigner
against the closures of libraries in 2000 – and ex-Labour councilor
Ernest James. It is understood Mr James argued the case for residents.
The verdict is the latest twist in an ongoing row in the leafy neighbourhood
over whether pubs should be allowed to open later.
Earlier this year the Princess of Wales in nearby Chalcot Road won
permission to keep a basement bar open until 1am at weekends –
a council decision set to be reviewed by a district judge.
Since that extension was granted, residents in the area have vowed
to unite against licensees at future hearings – even setting
up Primrose Hill Pub Group, a team of objectors monitoring all applications.
Councillors last night (Wednesday) curbed the Pembroke Castle’s
application after reading letters of objections.
Professor David Holden, a respected scientist and fellow at the
Royal Society who lives near the pub, said: “Virtually every
weekend and occasionally on week nights we witness or are woken
up by loud behaviour.”
Carl Snitcher – chief executive of Paul Raymond Publications,
publishers of top-shelf magazines Razzle and Mayfair – said:
“I object on the grounds that an extension of hours in what
is predominately a residential area would increase noise nuisance,
from cars, very loud talking and sometimes unruly behaviour at closing
time.”
Roger Chrystal, a surgeon at the University College Hospital in
Bloomsbury, also objected. The Barracuda Pub Company said in a statement:
“Prominent, clear and legible notices shall be displayed at
all exits requesting the public respect the needs of residents and
leave the premises and area quietly.” |
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