Islington Tribune - News: The play bar

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

Islington Tribune - by MARK BLUNDEN
Published: 1 June 2007

Three-month closure order for pub marred by violence

A ROWDY Old Street bar has been shut down for three months after a year of mob violence, thefts and under-age drinking.
The Play bar had its licensing conditions reviewed on Wednesday following police complaints.
A Town Hall committee heard how last September more than 100 people brawled in the street and hurled broken bottles and glasses.
Ten days later CS gas had been let off inside the bar and the owners were “invited” to Islington police station.
Under the Licensing Act 2003, a venue’s licence can be reviewed at any time.
In March this year, a police log noted of how a stabbing at the bar happened after an event where the bar had been hired by a school.
It states: “One male had a head injury requiring eight stitches to his head. A second male had a four to five-inch cut to his leg and was stabbed in the buttock.
“Apparently about 40 people had been fighting in the venue which continued outside. A knife was seen.
“The owner of the premises admits this event was booked by a school.”
In a separate attack, one drinker ended up in court on a GBH charge after allegedly stamping on a man’s had.
Licensing chiefs were told heard how since March last year there had been one stabbing, 10 thefts and several of the call outs involved under age drinkers.
Play had also failed to install noise limiters on their sound system despite it being a condition of their licence.
The police wanted strict conditions imposed on the bar, including plastic glasses, a rigorous over-21s only policy, beefed up door security and CCTV.
But licensing chiefs decided to go one step further and close down Play for three months while it got its house in order.
Licensing chairman Councillor Stefan Kasprzyk told the Tribune after the meeting: “The police requested this review, and we believe from their evidence that this bar had broken their licensing agreement and were failing to provide a safe environment.
“We have closed them down immediately for three months or until they prove they will abide by the terms of their license.”
Bunhill ward councillor Jyoti Vaja said last night (Thursday): “Residents on the Wenlake Estate were being constantly disturbed not just be noise but by people cutting through their estate, shouting and using it as a toilet.
“They’ve been disturbed by violence and constant calls outs to the police in the area.”
The Play bar did not return out request for a comment.

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment: