Private bars 'using loophole' to open in historic Clerkenwell Green

RESTAURATEURS in historic Clerkenwell Green are being accused this week of using a loophole in the licensing laws to open private drinking bars.

The result, according to Clerkenwell Lib Dem councillor George Allan, is that residents are suffering from more late-night noise, nuisance and anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Allan is responsible for introducing the borough’s first “saturation zone” in Clerkenwell. It allowed Islington Council to refuse applications from drinking establishments on the grounds that there were too many already.

Cllr Allan warns that restaurants granted licences on the grounds that they only provide alcohol with food are setting up “unofficial” bars where people can sit around and drink after their meals until the early hours.

He said: “These restaurants have become glorified drinking venues by circumventing the laws. They need to be identified and if necessary we may need tighter restrictions. Something must be done if residents are to get a decent night’s sleep.”

Cllr Allan is currently scrutinising plans by the Masonic Centre, which is seeking permission for an alcohol and late-night refreshment licence. 

So far, the council’s licensing committee has rejected one application and there is expected to be an appeal.

The Masons have sold the Sessions House for £6.5m to a company controlled by a businessman who wishes to run it as Clerkenwell House, an invitation-only, private members’ club catering for private events, parties and conferences.

It would not be a nightclub, according to the company, and there would be no dancing or instant admission.

Residents have stressed that they accept that the Sessions House – as one of Clerkenwell’s landmark buildings – needs to be safeguarded by having an economic use, but not at the cost of potentially introducing problems associated with clubs and pubs in the area.

Editorial Comment

Is councilor Allan going to introduce a saturation zone in regards of minicab Satellite Offices. Using a loophole in the a Private Hire Act where anything sppertaining to TfL policy, turns into "just guidelines" when challenged, satellite offices are springing up all over the borough with the obligatory line of touts illegally plying for hire outside.

Because we have seen a PH company evade the need to be in operation for the minimum period of one year, all new set ups will expect the same treatment from the licensing team at Palestra. 

Before any satellite office licence is issued, a taxi rank should be installed outside the main entrance of the premises. This should be standard practise and should have been negotiated by our respective representative orgs as part of the STaN report.

Source Islington Gazzette