Islington Tribune - News: TV star takes a swing at late bouts

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Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 25 April 2008

Artist’s impression of the £20 million complex

TV star takes swing at late bouts

DAYTIME television presenter Kate McIntyre is battling plans to host boxing and wrestling matches in an underground theatre being built in Islington.
Ms McIntyre has joined neighbours overlooking Islington Green in a campaign to stop the owners of the 600-seat Collins Theatre, expected to open late next year, from staging 24-hour charity fundraisers and boxing and wrestling matches until 8am.
Theatre trustees have asked for permission to host fights three times a year but also want to serve alcohol at exhibition sports matches, midnight plays and charity fundraisers.
The underground theatre is part of a £20 million complex of apartments and shops currently under construction. Trustees hope to site a restaurant, bar and market on the ground floor.
In a letter to the council’s licensing committee, which will hear the theatre’s application on Monday, Ms McIntyre said planners had originally agreed not to demand the inclusion of affordable housing in the development in return for a theatre. She added: “They did not agree to forego affordable housing in return for a nightclub venue or to provide an arena for boxing and wrestling.
“The potential noise and nuisance value of ‘clubbers’ leaving these premises in the early hours, possibly seven days a week, would be totally unacceptable.”
The application has been backed by former teacher Avis Baldry, who said: “I believe the developer has agreed some 23 conditions relating to noise and health and safety, and understand that not having one fixed closing time for the basement levels will avoid large numbers of people leaving at once.” She said neighbours of the theatre “were never going to have suburban boredom tranquillity and must not have wanted that”.
Lawyers representing the theatre’s trust said it had been a little surprised at the response from some sections of the community and had agreed to limit ground-floor hours to 1am.

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