Local councils responsible for licensing – alcohol, late night food, live music etc – are required to review their policies every few years.  Hackney will shortly re-launch a consultation on its licensing policy.

In advance Hackney is seeking input from stakeholders.  (This effort follows the withdrawal of the previous consultation last Autumn for technical reasons.)

Come and tell Hackney what you think about Hackney’s nightlife and how the borough can benefit from the opportunities and face the challenges of Hackney’s growing nightlife.  Your views will help shape Hackney’s new licencing policy.

EVENT:  Stakeholder Event
DATE:    Wednesday 24 February 2016
START:  6.30pm – registration
FINISH:  9pm – ends
VENUE: TBD (near Shoreditch High Street Station)

We urge all to attend Hackney Council’s Planning Committee meeting tomorrow, 10 December at 18:30, to discuss the recommendation to refuse the monstrous Goodsyard scheme.

Although the Committee is unapologetic in its support of towers – for example last week approving a 30-storey Goliath on the Chariots site directly opposite the Goodsyard – it is nevertheless important to turn out for this meeting.

Hackney’s planning officer has recommended REFUSAL of the monstrous Goodsyard scheme as little more than inappropriate luxury flats, massive offices and a shopping mall.

However in a spectacularly undemocratic act, Boris Johnson has removed our councils’ authority and is scheduled to make his own decision in February, rushing before the May election which may bring a less sympathetic mayor.

Come to Hackney Town Hall on Thursday to support the council’s REFUSAL of the Bishopsgate Goodsyard plans, and send a signal to OUR mayor at the GLA that this is important.  This planning committee meeting will make the case for what’s wrong with the Goodsyard plans, and what we would expect Boris to put right!

If you need to remind yourself of the horrors visit www.morelightmorepower.co.uk.

Council rules severely restrict the time available to actually speak.  However an appearance in numbers makes a statement in its own right, and is really important.  Please, if you have the time, come on up and support the long-term vibrant future of Shoreditch.

Date:  10 December 2015
Time:  18:30
Where:  Hackney Town Hall, Assembly Halls 1 and 2, Mare Street, London E8 1EA (entrance on Reading Lane)

Sincerely,
The Shoreditch Community Association

IMPORTANT: Hackney Council will hold a public hearing Wednesday 2 Dec. at 18:30 to approve the monstrous Highgate Tower on the Chariots/Majestic site.

It’s vital that objectors appear in force to stand up in opposition.

This is the last chance to detail this 30 storey Goliath.

More details HERE.

We draw your attention to a license application by the Breakfast Club on Hoxton Square. The venue already has a license which permits alcohol sales only to diners having a meal. The Breakfast Club seeks permission to effectively become a bar by removing the condition that “Alcohol is only to be sold to customers eating or waiting to be seated to eat“.

This venue is in the middle of an oversaturated area, where noise and disturbance already carry on late into the night. In fact the venue is in the Shoreditch Special Policy area, which means the amendment should be rejected absent “exceptional circumstances”. We believe there are none.

The SCA has written to Hackney Licensing to express these concerns. We urge you to send your own representations (pro or con!) ahead of the deadline on 16 September (strictly enforced). Suggested text is below, but please use your own words if possible.  Please copy sca@shoreditchcommunity.com if you can.

Sincerely,
The Shoreditch Community Association

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SUGGESTED TEXT FOR HACKNEY LICENSING:

To: Hackney Licensing (licensing@hackney.gov.uk)
Re: The Breakfast Club, 2/4 Rufus Street, London N1 6PE

I write to object to this proposed amendment to for the following reasons:

– This venue is within the Shoreditch Special Policy Area, which means the license amendment should be automatically refused absent “exceptional circumstances”, which do not exist.

– There are many residential properties in the immediate vicinity of the venue

– The location of the venue is in the middle of a zone that is saturated beyond breaking point with late-night drinking and party venues, attracting hordes of booze tourists every weekend causing intolerable noise, anti-social behaviour, littering and fouling of the streets. The last thing the area needs is yet another alcohol-only venue. This venue will add to the cumulative impact and existing issues of noise and disorder.

– The venue is directly adjacent to several residential properties and could become a focal point for lingering crowds, presenting issues of safety to children and noise/disorder.

This license amendment provides no value to the neighbourhood, tearing at the fabric of attempts to build a long-term balanced future for Shoreditch.

I wish to be advised of the date for the Sub-Committee meeting.

[Name]
[Address]
(I do not consent to the release of any personally identifiable information.)

We draw your attention to a new license application for more alcohol sales in the middle of Shoreditch. 22 Rivington Street, currently a small restaurant, has applied for a license allowing:

• Supply of alcohol, on and off premises, 7 days a week 10:00am to 02:00am; and
• Late night hot food until 02:00am, 7 days a week

This venue is in the middle of an oversaturated area, where noise and disturbance already carry on late into the night. In fact the venue is in the Shoreditch Special Policy area, which means the license should be rejected absent “exceptional circumstances”. We believe there are none.

The SCA has written to Hackney Licensing to express these concerns. We urge you to send your own representations (pro or con!) ahead of the deadline on 25 September (strictly enforced). Suggested text is below, but please use your own words if possible.  Please copy sca@shoreditchcommunity.com if you can.

Sincerely,
The Shoreditch Community Association

********************************************

SUGGESTED TEXT FOR HACKNEY LICENSING:

To: Hackney Licensing (licensing@hackney.gov.uk)
Re: 22 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3DY

I write to object to this proposed licence for alcohol and late-night refreshment for the following reasons:

– This venue is within the Shoreditch Special Policy Area, which means that the license should be automatically refused absent “exceptional circumstances”, which do not exist.

– There are many residential properties in the immediate vicinity of the venue

– The location of the venue is in the middle of a zone that is saturated beyond breaking point with late-night drinking and party venues, attracting hordes of booze tourists every weekend causing intolerable noise, anti-social behaviour, littering and fouling of the streets. The last thing the area needs is yet another alcohol-night venue. This venue will add to the cumulative impact and existing issues of noise and disorder.

– The venue is directly adjacent to several residential properties and could become a focal point for lingering crowds, presenting issues of safety to children and noise/disorder.

– A late night alcohol off-license adds significant noise to the street, as people gather outside for all sorts of loud and unsociable conduct.

This license provides no value to the neighbourhood, tearing at the fabric of any attempt to build a long-term balanced future for Shoreditch.

I wish to be advised of the date for the Sub-Committee meeting.

[Name]
[Address]
(I do not consent to the release of any personally identifiable information.)

Come one, come all, to the Hackney Village Fayre!  Saturday, 12th of September, from 12pm-6pm, on Hoxton Square.  Food, drinks, music, fun and games!  More details are HERE.  See y’all there!