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Alison Walsingham and Anthony Ferguson outside the former antique arcade |
‘We’ll keep the noise down’ say couple in bid for late night bar
Promise follows high-profile objections to licence for Camden Passage site
A BUSINESS couple who plan to open an “all night” venue at the former Mall Antique Arcade in Camden Passage defended the move this week with a promise: “We’ll keep the noise down.”
Anthony Ferguson, 33, and Alison Walsingham, 28, have applied to open an all night bar in the upstairs of the former restaurant at the Grade II-listed building.
Last week the Islington Tribune reported that angry residents – including judge’s wife Sharon Lewison – were angry that they had not been informed about the venue and were concerned about the potential for noise and rowdy behaviour in the early hours.
The venue aims to open at 12 noon until 1am during the week and until 4am at the weekend.
Mr Ferguson said there will be some live jazz or folk music Friday and Saturday only, but that will end at midnight.
He added: “First it is not going to be a loud Ibiza-style night club. It will be a bar where people can sit and chat or listen to music into the early hours. There will be coffee and alcohol and light snacks.
“Ultimately we hope to remain open until 4am but we will ensure that people are well-behaved.”
Ms Walsingham, who works in the hospitality profession said: “We’re reflecting the fact that Upper Street, like a lot of London, is a 24-hour centre. People want to socialise and go somewhere to relax before they go home.”
Anthony and Alison say they intend to talk to local residents, including the Camden Passage Association, to help allay their fears.
The planning application comes just two weeks before a public inquiry will decide the fate of the ornate building, a former tram shed.
The inquiry is being called by Islington council, who have already objected to plans to strip the interior of the building, once regarded as the “jewel in the crown” of Camden Passage’s world famous antique trade.
Councillor Terry Stacy, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Public Protection, said: “We take residents’ opinions very seriously and always send letters to people who might be affected by licensing applications.
“Notices went up as soon as the application was received, and neighbours will get letters on their doormats by this weekend – in plenty of time to give their views – and we’ll be very pleased to hear from them.
“This application only applies to the part of The Mall that was previously a restaurant, not the former antiques market section. The council has refused planning permission for changes to the ‘small shop’ layout in that section, and will be robustly defending that at a planning appeal next month.”
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