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Good-neighbour bar drops 3am drinks bid
THE owners of one of Islington’s trendiest pubs have lost a bid to stay open until 3am at weekend.
The Old Queen’s Head, in Essex Road, has attracted some of the coolest names in music to its turntables, including James Lavelle, CSS and Noah and the Whale.
But on Monday its owners failed to convince Islington Council’s licensing panel that an extra hour’s trade at weekends was justified.
Neighbours complained of noise from customers leaving the pub and of drinkers blocking the pavement at night.
One said: “People are supposed to stay behind a rope but, especially on warm evenings, they don’t. Not only is there not enough room but asking smokers with glasses of alcoholic drinks in their hands to make room can be an intimidating experience for two older ladies.”
Steven Ball, director of The Columbo Group, which runs the Old Queen’s Head, said: “We’re disappointed. The pub’s successful and we just wanted to carry on until 3am. We won’t be applying again because we don’t want to upset residents and we didn’t realise there would be a negative reaction.”
He added: “They made some valid points and it’s fair enough, we’re all neighbours together. It would be unfair to hold the Old Queen’s Head responsible for any anti-social behaviour in the area.”
Mr Ball maintained that ropes outside the pub controlled customers. |
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