‘Fights and noise’ put Piya Piya nightclub licence in danger
Neighbours call for review after closing-time brawl
Published: 19 February 2010
by PETER GRUNER
A FINSBURY nightclub is threatened with the loss of its licence following a series of complaints by angry neighbours.
Piya Piya was granted a late-night licence two years ago despite objections from residents of luxury Lexington Apartments, off City Road. Now following a series of new complaints – including claims that a brawl erupted close to the venue last month – the club is being called back to an Islington licensing committee at the town hall on Monday.
Islington police are expected to give evidence against the Thai nightclub after two men in their 20s received serious head and face injuries in a fight just minutes after closing time on January 30.
The club’s owners will be forced to answer allegations of anti-social behaviour by clubbers, dating back more than two years, including complaints of noise, litter, vomiting and defecating in the street.
A neighbour, accountant Carol Seet, said the club had given a pledge that there would be no disturbances. She added: “They have not kept their part of the bargain. We’ve had fights, including one recently. The music is bad enough but the guests make a lot of noise and trouble when they leave.”
The Reverend Jennifer Potter, minister at historic Wesley’s Chapel, also in City Road, said: “We’re not against the club’s restaurant. The problem seems to be that when the venue is hired out to other organisations at the weekend that we have the nuisance.”
A spokesman for Islington Council said: “Residents have called for a review after complaints of noise and nuisance at closing time from customers leaving the premises. Police have made a representation to support the residents. There have been previous noise complaints about these premises before.”
Piya Piya operates as a bar and restaurant, closing at 11pm during the week. Residents claim much of the trouble occurs at weekend club nights run by outside promoters using temporary 4am licences.
Piya Piya’s general manager Faz Haque said that the club was regularly blamed for noise and nuisance, even though it might be associated with other venues.
He added: “There are bus stops and other venues nearby. We can’t control everything.”
Mr Haque said the club was offering to install sound equipment in a nearby flat to monitor noise. “It is in our interest that we have good relations with residents and we are very sad that it has come to this review,” he added. “Residents can call us when there is a problem but I don’t think they always bother.”