Islington Tribune - News: Pub pavement drinkers

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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 29 June 2007

Resident Anne Pauley with wheelchair user Sonia Avila and licensee Alberto Romanelli

Peace talks in row over pub pavement drinkers

Landlord reassures neighbours angry at noise and crowded street

LAST-minute talks have resulted in a truce between a licensee and residents in a row over drinking on the pavement outside a Clerkenwell pub.
The Windmill in Tabernacle Street, appealed to an Islington Council licensing committee on Monday to allow customers to drink on the pavement on warm summer evenings.
Residents, including several wheelchair users, protested that drinkers were often noisy and blocked the pavement, forcing pedestrians to walk in the road.
During an often-angry hearing, they claimed management at the pub refused to talk to them whenever they had a problem while the licensee claimed he had never received any complaints.
Resident Anne Pauley described being wakened in the early hours to sounds of shouting and screaming by customers drinking outside the pub on a Saturday night.
“My bedroom is immediately upstairs,” she said. “And I have a severely disabled son. It was impossible to sleep with the entire din. Our children are woken up in a very distressed state with all the nuisance.”
She added that using the pavement outside the pub on a warm day was virtually impossible because it was clogged by lunchtime and night-time drinkers.
“The pavement is not wide enough,” she said. “It means that I often have to push the wheelchair into the road.”
Licensee Alberto Romanelli said that during the six months he had been at the pub he had not been aware of any complaints. “I am very sympathetic with the residents,” he said. “But I also have to think about the comfort of my customers.
“There are very hot days and nights when people want to drink outside. But I’ve never been aware of noise or nuisance or anyone blocking the pavement.
“If this had come to my attention I would have attempted to deal with the situation.”
The committee heard that, while pedestrians had priority on the pavement, there was no law preventing people drinking on it.
While the committee was considering its decision, Ms Pauley got together with other residents to talk to Mr Romanelli.
“He gave me his phone number,” Ms Pauley said. “And has promised to ensure his customers behave. We hope they will.”
The committee allowed outside drinking until 9pm.
It also stipulated that staff regularly inspect the outside of the premises to ensure any empty glasses, bottles and plastic containers are cleared away. A bin should be provided for the disposal of rubbish and a notice displayed requesting the public to respect the needs of residents and to leave quietly.

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