‘The council proposals favour alcohol-led businesses without requiring the appropriate mitigating measures to control the increased negative impact on residents’

• WE write in support of David Kaner’s letter concerning the council’s current licensing proposals with regard to the night-time economy, (Camden’s policy on licensing and alcohol should not be at the expense of residents, October 31).

The information cited by the council and the proposals put forward by them just don’t add up.

In my time as volunteer chair of the Tenants’ Residents’ Association Camden Town (TRACT) there has been a significant increase in the number of licensed premises in and around Camden Town centre.

The council proposals favour alcohol-led businesses without requiring the appropriate mitigating measures to control the increased negative impact on residents.

Our streets are filthy with bodily waste, vomit, nitrous oxide canisters, take-away packaging, empty bottles and cans.

Imagine what visitors think when they arrive out of the tube station.

Late-night noise and anti-social behaviour wake us up, as no consideration is given to how people behave when they leave the bars and clubs.

There is nothing wrong with the current framework hours and nothing prevents businesses applying for later hours.

The existing cumulative impact areas ensure that applicants give more consideration to mitigating the impact on the local community of their business operation.

TRACT asks that the licensing committee retains the current framework hours and consults on cumulative impact rather than dismissing it as non-existent.

We believe the police would support this approach.

KATE GEMMELL
Volunteer Chair
TRACT, NW1