Islington Tribune - News: Karaoke club

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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 7 September 2007

‘Turn down the noise’ plea by karaoke club neighbours

3am licence go-ahead amid claims that smoking ban has caused more din

GROWING conflict between high-spirited karaoke fans and residents in Clerkenwell who yearn for a decent night’s sleep erupted in fury this week.
Neighbours accused the management of Murphis karaoke club in Clerkenwell Road of being deaf to their complaints about singing – or attempts at it – and loud music into the early hours.
Club owner Murphy Okojie told an Islington Council licensing committee that his staff had done all they could to appease residents, including arranging a meeting to discuss problems.
The club was seeking to extend its late-night weekend liquor licence from 1am to 5am at a hearing on Monday, when residents from nearby flats lodged objections.
One neighbour said: “Clients have a tendency to leave Murphis shouting and roaring. Whether it is the fact they are in high spirits or are continuing to practise their karaoke skills is not clear.
“However, what is clear is that the security [doormen] when they are on duty do very little to remind exiting patrons they are in a residential area and to please keep the noise down.”
Residents claimed late bars and clubs in Clerkenwell are destroying their quality of life.
Clubs open until 5am are accused of giving residents sleepless nights, and have been blamed for increased vandalism, crime and litter.
Another resident claimed noise from Murphis was unacceptable. She added: “The introduction of the no-smoking ban has increased noise because the door is now constantly open to allow patrons to go in and out for a cigarette.”
Residents complained that the club scene – not just Murphis – had brought a rise in traffic noise, with music blaring from cars in the early hours and the tooting of horns, plus a huge litter problem and occasional outbreaks of crime.
“Several businesses on and around Clerkenwell Road have had windows broken over various weekends,” one resident said. “Cars have also been damaged. While it is not possible to attribute these acts to Murphis’ patrons, there is no doubt the club being currently open to 1am does not help the situation.”
Mr Okojie said he had been effectively in control for only a year. “It goes without saying that I want to work with the residents,” he added. “If there is a problem with noise then I will try to reduce it. Most of the singing goes on in the basement and noise should not be escaping.
“I even went as far as organising a meeting to discuss these issues. I delivered letters of invitation to 30 flats in June but no one turned up.”
The committee gave the club a licence until 3am, but insisted that notices must be prominently displayed at exits asking customers to keep noise down when they leave.
The club was told that sound levels should be regularly monitored.

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