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Gastro green light row
THE peace and quiet of Belsize Village could be shattered after a large gastro-pub was granted a late license.
This is the view of objectors, including the world-renowned classical guitarist John Williams.
The new Belsize Park restaurant and bar in Belsize Lane, called XO – which was the former Belsize pub – was given permission to serve alcohol until 11.30pm from Monday to Thursday, and until midnight at the weekend, at a licensing meeting at the Town Hall on Monday.
Millionaire owner Will Rikker, who has spent £1.5 million on renovations, owns five other restaurants. He told the panel he has never had complaints from anywhere else.
But residents – who turned up in such numbers officials had to retrieve extra chairs – felt Belsize Village was the most residential area he has located to.
Mr Williams, who lives Belsize Lane, said: “XO will increase the noise and traffic – everything will be exacerbated. It could be intolerable.”
But Mr Rikker, an Australian, said: “After emotions have calmed down I think the residents will see it’s not the end of the world.
“The quiet pub was losing £5,000 a month. That’s not a reality – someone like me was going to come along and say we can do something with it. It’s going to be good for the area.” |
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