Backlash over Blackheart pub’s 2am bid

Published: 23 September, 2010
by JOSIE HINTON

RESIDENTS fear a Camden Town pub will become the “neighbour from hell” if licensing chiefs approve its bid to sell alcohol until 2am seven days a week.

The Blackheart, which replaced the former Camden Tup in Greenland Place, will learn tonight (Thursday) if its application for the late-night licence is successful. 

But the bid, which would also allow the pub to play music until 2am during the week, has been met with fierce opposition from neighbours who say they are already plagued by “unruly” customers.

Josie Kelly, who chairs residents group Camden Town, said: “The pub is in a narrow, dark, black alley. People already sit outside drinking and causing disruption to neighbours, but a 2am closing time would be completely out of control. After the drinking and partying finishes they all head to Bayham Street looking for buses and taxis home and disturbing the residents nearby.”

The venue is currently licensed to serve alcohol until midnight. Last month police were called to the pub at 12.50am following noise complaints and found customers “blocking the road” and the pavement “littered with cigarette butts and rubbish”. Officers also found all doors and windows were open despite the Blackheart’s licence stating they must be closed at 11pm.

A petition signed by 12 residents has been submitted to the council and police have requested the application be refused.

Will McBean, operations manager for the Blackheart, said: “We completely understand the concerns of some local residents in their opposition to the application. The purpose of our application is very simply to allow us to compete with our immediate neighbours. We’re not asking for extreme licensing hours, simply to be brought up to parity with the surrounding licensed premises. The pub is a well-run and responsible establishment that is there for the benefit of locals.”

He added that if successful the pub would not host live gigs.