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Head Kenneth Durham |
School in booze bid ‘money-making’ row
‘Facility not being used as widely as it could be’
HAMPSTEAD’S independent University College School may have a lot of “Old Gower” alumni, but it could be forgiven for feeling rather friendless putting in an application for an alcohol licence.
The school in Frognal has had to face the wrath of neighbours and Camden’s very own schools chief Andrew Mennear, in his role as ward councillor.
He said it had asked licensing chiefs to “effectively enable the school to operate a licensed social club with live entertainment seven days a week”.
He warned it had grave potential to cause public nuisance.
UCS – whose famous “Old Gowers” include athlete and neurologist Sir Roger Bannister, cellist Julian Lloyd Webber and Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre – requested permission to serve alcohol from 11am until 11.30pm from Monday to Saturday and 11pm on Sunday, and to host weddings, concerts and sporting events across its campus, from the refectory to the great hall and landscaped gardens.
The giant hall, which holds up to 700 people seated, could stage classical music concerts.
But the plans have been criticised by neighbours, 32 of whom fired off letters of objection. Some accused the school of setting money-making above the safety of pupils and the rights of their neighbours.
Conservative councillor Martin Davies, who represents Frognal and Fitzjohn’s ward, said: “It seems rather odd that a school would want to make a blanket request for a licence, which is outside of their normal business, and especially for a premises that is located in the middle of a highly residential area.”
In other objection letters, Andrew Usiskin of the Redington Frognal Association questioned whether it was “yet another attempt to make money” while Tony Hillier of the Heath and Hampstead Society warned alcohol shouldn’t be served later than 11pm and that all events be moved inside after 9.30pm.
Mr Hillier, however, said he supported the fundraising intentions behind the application.
Other residents said events already held at the school had disrupted their sleep and had led to scenes of drunkenness in the streets.
Neighbours Ashley Dartnell and Bruce Steinberg likened the plans to establishing a pub in the midst of quiet residential streets, and warned it could cause crime and disorder.
Vanessa Purvis of Ellerdale Road said: “We did not choose to live next to a bar, restaurant, pub or late-night club and should not have this inflicted on us.”
UCS headteacher Kenneth Durham said the plans were much broader than a simple bid to serve alcohol and insisted his main goal was to open up the school to a wider public. “It’s just a fantastic facility that’s not being used and shared as widely as it could be,” he added.
Licensing chiefs were due to decide on the application last night (Wednesday). |
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