Detroit

Camden stops 3am Music & Dancing licence

An application for a late Music & Dancing licence was refused by Camden Council's Licensing & Control Sub-committee on Wednesday 16th December 1998.

After hearing evidence of noise nuisance and disturbance from some of the more than 50 local objectors, Camden councillors decided that an application by Detroit Bar was inappropriate. The CGCA and local residents gave details of various breaches of Planning and Licensing legislation, including loud, thumping dance music keeping some residents awake and driving some 'to despair'.

Detroit occupies the basement of 35 Earlham Street (part of the Thomas Neal's building) and extends underneath the Seven Dials. The premises were converted in the early 90's into a restaurant. After having proven financially unviable as a restaurant or bar by 3 previous owners, the current proprietor decided to apply for a Public Entertainment Licence until 3am each day in a bid to increase custom at his premises.

This application provoked a storm of protest from residents living immediately above, as well as from residents in surrounding streets. At the hearing at Camden Town Hall on 16/12, the closing time on the application was amended to 12:30.

After evidence from 7 local residents and from Jo Weir, the CGCA's Chairman, the licence was refused on the grounds that:
• the applicant was not a fit and proper person to hold such a licence (because of the various and repeated breaches of the law, despite advice and warnings)
• Councillors had reservations about the suitability of the premises for music and dancing (because of the continuous problems residents have experienced).

Residents around Earlham Street are delighted with the outcome of Camden's decision. In their objection letters and their evidence they outlined the problems they currently have to contend with – excessive noise from early morning refuse and glass removals, shouting, singing, screaming and anti-social behaviour from revellers who have come to Covent Garden to have a good time. One resident would only consent to Detroit's licence if it was for the US city, not for the bar in Earlham Street. Others did not object to the venue trading as a restaurant or bar until midnight, but said they could not tolerate any later hours or loud music, dancing and entertainment.

At a recent meeting of Camden's Policy Development Committee, Cllr Ernest James (chair of the Licensing & Control S-c) spoke about Camden Town's problems: "If only other areas were as liberal. People come to Camden Town because they can't get a drink where they live… It is the Ibiza and southern Spain syndrome – people go away from home and misbehave..."

A detailed survey of crime in Camden, published recently, shows that drinkers in Camden are well served – there are more than 2,000 licensed premises in the borough, including 160 venues with late licences. The Camden Crime Audit has mapped the 'crime hot spots' and has highlighted problems with disturbances in bars, pubs and clubs in the southern part of the borough and some other 'drinking' areas. The report calls for greater involvement from the licensed trade to achieve reductions in crime and disorder.

© Covent Garden Community Association, 17th December 1998

LINKS:

The Government's consultation document on the extension of licensing hours: Home Office
The Cabinet Office's report on licensing: Better Regulation Task Force
Central Westminster Police Community Consultative Group, Licensing Working Party Report on Licensing. A Good Night Out
Recent media coverage of licensing issues in Covent Garden:
Evening Standard
Catering Net
The Times, 10th Nov 1998 - feature "Why I won't be drinking to the new licensing laws" by an Inner London Magistrate concerned about the Government's proposals on licensing.

 

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