Camden News: Torriano Pub | Dean Guberina | Pete Docherty | Gig | Leighton Road Neighbourhood Association | Sue Prickett

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Camden News - by DAN CARRIER
Published: 5 June 2008

Pete Doherty’s secret gig

Doherty gig angers objectors fighting pub’s late licence bid

Singer’s benefit night ‘too loud’, complain neighbours worried about noise

BABYSHAMBLES singer Pete Doherty’s attempts to help a “trendy” back-street pub in Kentish Town may have backfired after objectors used his secret gig to attack the pub.
In a licensing battle that has split the neighbourhood Dean Guberina, licensee of the Torriano pub in Torriano Avenue, will learn tonight (Thursday) whether he can serve customers until 2am at weekends.
The pub was the scene of a secret gig by the controversial member of The Libertines earlier this year.
While regulars and supporters of the pub have signed a petition urging Camden Council to allow the Torriano to stay open later, police and some neighbours are pressing councillors on the Town Hall’s licensing committee to reject the application.
Objectors say the pub already attracts a rowdy crowd and that later opening will bring another influx of drinkers.
Leighton Road Neighbourhood Association’s Sue Prickett is among a raft of objectors. She said in a protest letter: “The Torriano now has something of a cult status. It recently had a benefit by Pete Doherty and is frequented by other music and media stars. The hours requested are completely inappropriate for an environment where people and families are trying to lead regular lives.”
The objections have been supported by the Torriano Cottage Association, the Bartholomew Estate and Kentish Town Conservation Area Advisory Committee.
Others have warned that Doherty’s reputation for rock’n’roll excess will encourage unwelcome high jinks from other customers.
One neighbour has objected: “I believe the application is being made for live music to particularly accommodate Pete Doherty. It is likely he and his friends will attend this bar.”
Another objector said that when the guitarist last played at the pub the noise was too loud. Patricia Pank, a JP who lives nearby, added: “When Pete Doherty was performing the sound system was so loud I was able to hear it in Leighton Road and in my house I could hear every word.” One neighbour complained that a spare room could no longer be used because of the “monotonous amounts of swearing” coming from the back garden.
Mr Guberina has vowed to employ door staff, keep noise to a minimum and make sure music is played only in a soundproofed basement bar.
He said: “To minimise noise and encourage arts in our community we have renovated our basement. We have used sound minimising materials and since opening as a function room in December we have had no complaints.”

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