HMV Forum extended hours bid rejected

Published: 18 February 2010

THE managing director of the music group which runs the HMV Forum was turned away empty handed on Tuesday after he spent more than two hours trying to persuade licensing chiefs to give the venue later opening times.

Steve Forster said he wanted to extend the Highgate Road club’s hours by two hours on six occasions a year from their current closing time of 4am. A heated meeting at the Town Hall saw Mr Forster attempt to dismantle objectors’ arguments and accused them of misrepresenting the truth, after residents, ward councillors and the police lined up to complain about the venue.

PC Samantha Sheppard of Camden’s licensing police described 90 crimes there over a 12-month period as “excessive”.