THE days of the boisterous boozers could be over at a King’s Cross pub that has attracted complaints from neighbours.
But residents living near the controversial Backpacker pub in York Way remain apprehensive about what might happen when the pub changes hands.
Licensee Julian Molteno, 37, revealed at an Islington Council licence hearing on Monday that he is leaving after five years and the pub is up for sale.
His application for the renewal of the existing annual public music and dancing licence was approved.
South African-born Mr Molteno, a teetotaller, said: “It’s been a difficult five years but I’ve learnt how to deal with people, both customers and drinkers, and try and keep everyone happy.”
He said that when he took over the pub in October 2000 it was a pretty “rowdy affair” but in those days there were fewer homes nearby.
He added: “Then we started getting flats and new homes and the area started to become residential.”
Mr Molteno soon faced a hostile delegation of 30 residents with a long list of complaints.
He told the licence hearing: “We wrote down all our responses and within three months most of the residents were happy with our efforts to keep the noise down.”
There were complaints about drinkers’ behaviour on Sundays when the bar is open only from 4pm to 9pm and customers, many of them young Australians, are bussed in from another venue in Kentish Town.
Mr Molteno admitted many of his customers were high-spirited and included rugby players out for a good time. He added: “There was never any violence or threats. It’s all good-natured. We are not a binge drinkers’ pub. Yes, we are a party pub but people are drinking under control.”
Objector Mike Sweeney, 49, a professional photographer, claimed customers were “often very drunk, very loud and very noisy”.
He added: “We’re apprehensive about the future because the sale could take a year or longer. And we don’t know what operation will come afterwards.”
Another resident, Stefan Shulte, said: “The council has let this pub go on for years and done very little to control it.
“I’d like to think the next owner would at least be aware of the history of this pub. And any new owner better be aware that if he intends the same sort of operation as before we will continue our complaints.”