Kentish Town neighbours in peace plea at meeting as gig venue Flowerpot goes back to former name Bullet Bar

Published: 11th November, 2010
by JOSIE HINTON

NEIGHBOURS are calling for a live music venue in Kentish Town to be turned into a “family-friendly” pub after complaints over noise and anti-social behaviour.

The Bullet Bar re-opened last week under its former name after a successful stint as music venue the Flowerpot, which had carved out a reputation as a platform for up-and-coming indie acts. But residents say their lives were made a misery by loud music, people congregating outside and urinating in their gardens.

It currently has a licence to sell alcohol until midnight, Sunday to Wednesday, 1am on Thursdays and 2am at the weekends. 

During a meeting in the Kentish Town Road club on Tuesday night, owner Toby Mansourian and his new management team assured residents they would break away from problems of the past. 

But the evening became heated as around 30 residents aired their concerns. Jules Tolchard, who lives on Royal College Street, said things have been so bad she has been forced to sleep in the bathroom to escape noise.

“Since I moved into my flat, the club has made my life a living hell,” she added. “All three rooms of my one-bed flat face out to the road opposite Bullet. The only room in my flat which doesn’t face roadside is my bathroom.

“We appreciate that the club wants to give a platform to upcoming bands, but it’s the wrong premises.”

Maria Allan, also of Royal College Street, said: “With all the good will in the world you can’t control the crowds coming into people’s gardens and urinating. There isn’t room for this type of club in a residential area.”

And resident Raymond McCamley said: “I would like it to return to the way it used to be – just a normal family pub, with maybe a bit of music inside. I’m not an unreasonable person and certainly not against all types of music, I just object to this particular constant and excessive noise.”

Mr Mansourian, a previous manager at 3one7 in Finchley Road, which had its licence suspended last month after a series of under-age drinking incidents, said: “I am a father myself, and I am very concerned about what I am hearing. We are holding this meeting to try and address the problems of the past and hopefully we can move forward making as few mistakes as possible.” 

New manager Carol-Ann Williams added that bouncers would limit the number of customers outside to 15 at a time and would install sound-proofed doors. She also encouraged residents to call the venue if they were being affected by noise.

PC Samantha Sheppard, who chaired the meeting, said: “I will take steps under the law if I am given a reason. I don’t need aggravation in my job because your aggravation is my aggravation and that’s Toby’s aggravation and he doesn’t want it either.”