Islington News: Simon Bone | Farringdon | Printworks | Cocktail Bar | Nightclub

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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 27 February 2009

Farringdon Road businessman Simon Bone

Club’s jobs boost welcomed

Neighbours drop objections to 4am cocktail bar after assurances on noise

A FARRINGDON businessman spoke up in support of a new cocktail bar and nightclub on Monday.
Simon Bone told a licensing committee hearing at Islington town hall that the club in Farringdon Road would bring jobs and activity to an area threatened by the recession. The committee, who granted the licensing application, heard that objections from residents against the proposed club had been dropped after the new owner met many of them and promised to keep the noise down and abide by strict conditions.
Owner David Serlui gave out phone numbers to Clerkenwell residents so he can be contacted if there is noise and disturbance.
Asked why the new club needed to stay open until 4am, Mr Serlui said that it aimed to attract people in the catering industry.
He added: “These are people who work in hotels, clubs and restaurants or finish work in the early hours and need a quiet place to have a drink. They are not the rowdy night club clientèle.”
Mr Bone, who runs Bytaart internet business in Farringdon Road, close to the new club, said: “We know the Printworks had a reputation in the past. But the new operators say they want to work with residents and traders and I want to give them that chance.”
He added that the area had suffered a lot of business closures recently. “We’ve lost firms and a garage,” Mr Bone said. “Even a local McDonald’s closed down two years ago. In the current economic climate you don’t want to turn anyone away. Besides it’s not a massive nightclub. It’s more like a cocktail bar.”
Mr Bone, who employs nine people, called on Islington Council to provide more networking opportunities for local businesses. “It’s important that local firms stick together at a time like this,” he said. “We can all get together and help each other through this recession.”

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