Thumbs down for licence at Thumbs Up in Essex Road

Published: 06 August, 2010
by PETER GRUNER

THE man who led Britain’s controversial entry into the European Common Market back in the 1970s was back at the negotiating table at Islington Town Hall on Monday.

But this time, retired top civil servant Patrick Shovelton CB CMG was tackling an issue a lot closer to home – a plan by his friendly local newsagent at the Angel to sell booze 24 hours a day.

Mr Shovelton and the owner of Thumbs Up in Essex Road, Bhpendra Unadkat, met at a session of Islington’s Licensing Committee.

Mr Shovelton told the committee that he feared the plan to sell drink all night would lead to anti-social behaviour outside the flat he shares with his wife, Dame Helena – former chairwoman of the National Lottery Commission and now chief executive of the British Lung Foundation – on the private Angel on the Green estate.

Newsagent and off licence owner Mr Unadkat explained that in order for him to compete with the likes of Tesco Express and other small stores and bars he had to expand his business to meet the 24-hour culture.

Indeed, one of his supporters joked that in commercial terms there were similarities to Mr Unadkat’s need to open longer hours and Britain’s desire to expand and boost its business by entering the Common Market.

Mr Shovelton, a sprightly 91, said he had “great regard” for Mr Unadkat and his entrepreneurship but thought selling alcohol 24 hours was a step too far.

“If the licence is granted,” Mr Shovelton said, “there will inevitably be drinking in the street in the small hours of the morning. It will lead to drunken, rowdy and noisy behaviour and the possibility of throwing glass bottles and tins around.”

An offer by Mr Unadkat to reduce the hours until 2am weekdays and 3am Friday and Saturday was welcomed by Mr Shovelton but would still, he thought, pose problems for residents in the early hours.

He added: “We already get noise from various pubs and clubs nearby. It does mean it is impossible to open any of the windows, which in the present oppressive heat makes sleep extremely difficult.”

Mr Unadkat, whose shop currently closes at midnight and has been trading in the area for more than 20 years, promised to ensure security, including CCTV cameras, would be in place in case of trouble makers.

“I know Mr Shovelton well,” Mr Unadkat added. 

“He comes in every morning for his newspaper. I obviously don’t want to cause him or any of the residents any problems with noise or bad behaviour. We will make sure our operation is trouble-free.”

The committee granted the shop the amended hours with conditions, including one that two people must work in the shop after 11pm to deal with potential security problems.

Mr Shovelton was magnanimous in defeat. “My friend Mr Unadkat presented very good arguments. 

“I appreciate we are living in a different world and people have to make a living. At least he reduced the hours. We will see how it goes.”