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The Holy Redeemer Church in Holloway Road |
Noisy cabaret has no redeeming qualities
THE late-night cabaret at the Holy Redeemer church hall in Clerkenwell is called “The End of the World” – and that is precisely what it feels like for residents nearby trying to get some sleep.
The venue in Exmouth Market is the latest to exploit the new 24-hour licensing laws in order to generate much needed cash for refurbishments.
But although the popular comedy nights may pack in the punters – in a way the church itself could never achieve – they tend to leave residents unamused.
On Wednesday organisers of the venue, known as the Exmouth Centre, applied to Islington’s Licensing Committee to be able to serve alcohol for an extra hour – until midnight, Monday to Saturday, and until 11pm on Sunday.
The committee agreed to the licence, but with a number of conditions. The objectors have the opportunity to appeal the decision if they can prove that the nuisance continues.
One objector, medical secretary Sally Girgis, said that while she supported the church’s cultural activities, the late night events create noise during the normal hours of sleep.
She added: “For example, when the cabaret performances at ‘The End of the World’ reach their finale, music is played at very loud decibels.
“People wishing to smoke move between the inside of the centre and the small courtyard to the front of the church.
“It results in waves of noise that are disturbing just as we are preparing to sleep.”
Another objector, Mr Tak Chuen Leung, said that noise and anti social behaviour was already a problem in Exmouth Market due to the large number of late night venues.
He pointed out that whenever he complained to Islington’s Noise Patrol team he was unable to speak to anyone and was forced to leave a message.
He added: “The council has failed to increase the capacity of the public protection facility such as noise patrol and therefore, complaints are often left only as a log on a computer.”
A similar late night licence was granted to a local bar, said Mr Leung, and since then residents have been suffering regular noise and nuisance. “Since the implementation of the no smoking law, the smokers have been using space outside and noise has increased. Our quality of life is deteriorating.”
Committee member Labour Cllr Wally Burgess questioned the lack of response by the Noise Patrol and was told by officers that there was a shortage of staff.
Speaking on behalf of the Exmouth Centre, Freddie Sorenson said everything had been done to reduce noise and nuisance to neighbours following advice from the council’s Noise Team.
“We have employed a noise consultant,” he said, “and regularly monitor the noise from inside and outside. We have introduced heavy curtains across windows and main entrances which we believe obliterate the waves of noise when doors or windows are opened.”
He added that the centre aims for two or three events a week and patrons are generally well behaved. |
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