Covent Garden London
The heart of London's West End
CGCA 'highlights' 1998/99
June 1998
The 27th CGCA Annual General Meeting was held at the Theatre Museum; more than 120
people attended the event. The London Forum celebrates its 10th Anniversary in
the Piazza. Local residents organise a public meeting to discuss the problems
at the Centre Point project, Bruce House.
July
The Covent Garden Community Trust meets with the developers of the Holborn Town
Hall site and moves one step closer to its new community facility. Soho Housing
Association celebrates the completion of the Sandringham Flats refurbishment.
CGCA Chairman meets Home Office minister to discuss problems with licensing.
Licensing Justices carry out a site visit after strong objections to a new
licence. Several meetings to 'inform' the ROH that it is not
entitled to carry out noisy work at night and on Sundays.
August
Walk-about
with head of WCC Licensing Business Unit. CGCA commences an Older
People's Outreach Worker project. Large number of applications for new
licences. WCC drafts a new 'Entertainment Licensing Bill'. Public
meetings to discuss Drury Lane Gardens and various major planning applications.
September
CGCA
meets with Director of Environment at WCC. CGCA organises a very well attended
public meeting about the future of Covent Garden Underground Station. Some of
the walls in the CGCA are replastered - office nearly grinds to a halt. CGCA
Executive Committee holds a 'brain storming meeting' to plan for
the next 5 years. Camden refuses planning permission for the redevelopment
proposals for St Paul's Hospital.
October
The
long-awaited 'Good Night Out' report on licensing in Westminster is
published. Licensing Justices refuse a licence for a new All Bar One and decide
there is 'no need' for another licence. CGCA gives evidence in
Public Inquiry for 23-24 Maiden Lane, another large restaurant & bar.
November
CGCA
meets with Licensing chiefs at Camden to discuss entertainment licensing and
street trading. Licensing Justcies grant a licence for a large bar with a
'no vertical drinking' condition - the CGCA is besieged by the
press, Radio and TV. Rent Assessment Panel rules against huge rent increase for
flat in Neal Street.
December
CGCA 'discovers' Liam, its first ever Honorary Webmaster and gets its
own Internet presence, courtesy of Venus Internet. Camden refuses application
for 3am Music & Dancing licence at Seven Dials. CGCA has to defend the All
Bar One licence appeal and appears in the Crown Court to ask for an adjournment
to find a barrister.
January 1999
Westminster refuses licence extension for noisy bar - neighbours delighted. Rev Austen
Williams, the CGCA's first Chairman, celebrates his 60th Anniversary in
the Ministry. Rev Gordon Taylor celebartes his 50th Anniversary as Rector of St
Giles and his 60 years in the Ministry. Margaret Rowland celebrates her 100th
birthday. CGCA spends 4 four gruelling days in the Crown Court, but Judge
grants AB1 its licence.
February
Residents unite and meet to discuss the problems with resident parking with Camden. Rent
Assessment Panel rules against huge increases in rent for flats in St
Martin's Lane. Despite more than 115 objections WCC grants 1am M&D
licence in St Martin's Lane.
March
Noise complaints result in Shaftesbury Theatre losing its licence. Local residents
and CGCA give evidence at public inquiry for 2-4 Catherine Street - another
large restaurant. M&S opens store in Covent Garden. CGCA in Crown Court
again, but Judge lifts 'no vertical drinking' condition. Camden
awards Environmental Design Awards to Seven Dials Monument and Phoenix Garden.
April
Various meetings to discuss the redevelopment of Bow Street Police Station. New
application for St Paul's Hospital is made. CGCA meets with WCC to
discuss the UDP revisions and its proposed restrictions on new A3 use in Covent
Garden.
May
The ubiquitous May Fayre took place in St Paul's Church Yard: a nice, sunny
day; flowers and lots of good jumble raised £357. The
Photopgraphers' Gallery organises evening event for CGCA and the local
community. CGCA protests at Camden's 'Hotel Impact Study'
which ignores the adverse effect on tourism on Covent Garden.
Special note on the front cover of the printed annual report.
During 1999, the Seven Dials Monument Charity and the CGCA will, with Camden Council,
be exploring ways to reduce through-traffic from Seven Dials. The Seven Dials
Renaissance Study was awarded Camden's first Design Award earlier this
year (see also the article on page 16).
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