• THE sorry saga of Camden’s evening and night-time economy (ENTE) strategy and licensing policy proposals continues to frustrate and worry us.

Last week you published a report about the cancellation of the meeting that was to consider the licensing proposals (Late-opening pubs meeting axed, February 1) as well as a letter from residents’ groups (Just ask the people on licensing).

Your sister publication published an interview with the CEO of Soho Housing (Licensing policy plans ‘duplicitous’, Westminster Extra, February 2).

Camden provided a statement to the CNJ that claims that “for many months we have been engaging the community about the ENTE strategy”. We wonder which community they mean.

Our groups cover areas that contain over 55 per cent of all the licensed premises on Camden. None of us have been involved in any engagement on the ENTE strategy since the citizens’ assembly on the topic that ended 11 months ago. What has happened since?

The statement also says that “we also heard that we need to deal more robustly with badly run venues. We will be proposing a set of policies with actions in both of these areas, with much more robust licensing conditions…”

This may sound positive. But these “much more robust licensing conditions” have been in Camden’s policy for the last seven years (since 2017) and the problems with badly-run venues continue.

We all want to support good businesses to thrive and enable music and cultural venues to survive in difficult economic times. But the council has also said it “will seek to balance the needs of visitors and businesses with those of local people who may be negatively impacted.”

To achieve this balance it is essential to involve those living in the key ENTE areas in the development of the strategy.

BLOOMSBURY ASSOCIATION,
BLOOMSBURY RESIDENTS’ ACTION GROUP,
CHARLOTTE STREET ASSOCIATION,
COVENT GARDEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION,
KENTISH TOWN ROAD ACTION,
SEVEN DIALS TRUST,
SOUTH BLOOMSBURY TENANTS’ & RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION,
TENANTS’ & RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION OF CAMDEN TOWN