Licence granted to The Pappeo

Published: 28 May 2010
by PETER GRUNER

A BARNSBURY salsa venue, which was granted a 2am licence despite objections from more than a dozen residents, will have to seek planning permission before it is allowed to trade as a night club.

The Pappeo, in Caledonian Road, opposite Edward Square, had sought permission for dancing and the sale of alcohol between 10am and midnight Mondays to Thursdays and 10am to 5am Fridays and Saturdays.

A licensing committee granted the application on Monday, but reduced the Friday and Saturday 5am closing time to 2am.

Residents complained that on the occasions when the club held special one-off late night events loud noise permeated into nearby homes and people spilled out onto the streets, shouting and making sleep difficult for neighbours.

The club said they have installed all essential noise limiters and have taken advice about reducing nuisance to local residents.

Spokesman George Newell said: “We wanted a 5am licence so that our guests could disperse in a quiet and orderly way. We will put up signs telling people to leave quietly.”

But Labour ward councillor Paul Convery, representing many of the residents, said he was “disappointed” that the late night licence had been granted, even though it had been watered down.

“This is a high street surrounded with lots of flats and homes nearby,” he said. “It will now be up to the planning committee to decide whether or not the Pappeo can run a late night club. I know a lot of people will be against it.”