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Solicitor Stewart Booth and Mike Weedon, a member of the Camden Passage Association at the Mall |
Judge’s wife joins protest at nightclub plan
CAMPAIGNERS – among them a judge’s wife – reacted with fury this week to a plan to turn the former Mall antiques arcade at Camden Passage into a late-night venue.
The planning application for the all-night club comes just two weeks before a public inquiry will decide the fate of the Islington building, a Grade II-listed former tram shed.
The inquiry is being called by Islington Council, which has objected to plans to strip the interior of the building, once regarded as the “jewel in the crown” of Camden Passage’s world-famous antiques trade.
In August, the last of the remaining antiques traders from an original 40 were evicted from the building by new owner London Associated Properties (LAP). It is thought the club would be situated in a former restaurant on the upstairs floor of the Mall.
LAP, which to date has refused to talk about their plans, was originally thought to have wanted a large department store to move into the arcade.
Sharon Lewison and her High Court judge husband Kim are furious that the council did not write to inform them of the application for a venue close to their home.
The first the Lewisons heard about the plan was when they were told by the Tribune. Mrs Lewison said: “Apparently, there were a number of notices attached to lampposts.
“The council should have written to all local residents about this application. They certainly haven’t written to me. I would definitely object to anything where loud music is involved and there is potential for rowdy behaviour outside our home.”
Solicitor Stewart Booth, who lets homes to tenants in the area, was “appalled” by the prospect of a late-night venue.
“The noise from people coming and going outside is already bad enough,” he said.
The application by Guild Bars is for a venue with recorded music and light refreshments from 10am to 1am, Sunday to Thursday, and from 10am to 4am, Friday and Saturday.
Mike Weedon, a member of the Camden Passage Association, said the application had come as a shock so close to the public inquiry.
“We hope as many people will attend the inquiry as possible,” he added. “We will be fighting to stop the mall being redeveloped and hope to see it reopen eventually for antiques traders.”
Labour councillor Martin Klute said that the siting of entrances to the mall made 4am closing unreasonable.
He added: “This pre-empts the inquiry and demonstrates yet again the complete contempt that the owners of the mall have for the people who live nearby.
“Not only did this property firm get rid of our popular antique market, but now they want to allow a late-night venue until 4am. What does that tell you about their interest in our community?”
The mall public inquiry is at 10am on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 9 and 10, in The Crescent Suite, Ronalds Road, Highbury. |
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Your comments:
I am Anthony Ferguson, one of the two Directors of Guild Bars Ltd.
We understand the current situation with The Mall is highly emotive and are sympathetic. We do not intend to add further distress.
We are in the process of acquiring the lease for the 1st floor restaurant that was formerly “Upper Glas” and “Lola’s”.
We wish to reassure local residents that our concept for the space is absolutely not some rowdy all night club, nor indeed a night club at all.
We wanted to bring some life back to a beautiful and unique space in one of the most iconic buildings in Islington. The venue we are proposing, called “Guild”, will be a bohemian style coffee shop/bar/restaurant displaying and promoting works from local artists, photographers and musicians and offering both local residents and those from further afield the chance to observe creative output from the vast pool of talent that exists within the borough and surrounding areas.
We are not a large established organisation; we are a very small start-up business working on an idea that has been a lifelong dream. We understand that there are residents in the immediate vicinity of the Mall and will ensure both we and our customers are completely respectful. We will never have live music after midnight and whilst it is true that we are seeking a late licence, we do not intend to noise pollute and disturb those trying to enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep.
We’re very keen to discuss the concept and any concerns with interested parties, especially local residents and we urge anyone with an interest to get in touch at the e-mail address below.
Yours sincerely,
Anthony Ferguson
anthony@guildbars.co.uk
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