Well I just got an e-mail from Northampton re the Urban Tiger and the letter about the application for the renewal of license I sent in. The council got 76 Objections and 3 letters of support (two other than mine then). 37 letters were identical in content and seemed to originate for a single source (nice one for noticing council). Most of the other letters were from non residents and seemed to be an organised campaign against the venue or applicant and these were deemed to be without merit. I really think this has to be the best approach any council has taken so far and Kudos for spotting the use of template letters. I am working on a blog equivalent to the template Object roll out so councils will probably have to either kill off the use of templates or accepted them from both sides.
The Blue Bar in Kingston has it's license renewal hearing next week so good luck to Mark, Lee and co even though I haven't been there for over 6 years this is stage only and no private dancers. I have some superb memories of the place as well as some very blurred nights there. Considering the locale with the Cambridge Road Estate always worry that someone is going to play the crime card without understanding the area.
Because of the gentrification of Kings Cross people are now crying out that the Flying Scotsman brings down the area. Amazing that people move into an area with a pub or club and then try to close it as they think doing so will increase the value of their property (although they claim other things). This is a big concern I think to how people will try and close venues but forgetting what was where first. Remembering God TV planning on moving next to a strip venue? Wonder how long before someone claims the venue should not be near religious buildings. Should we could get councils to refuse planning permission for inappropriate buildings being next to clubs and pubs?
Secrets in Camden tried to get exceptions to conditions in their license and took the council to court. The council won the case, which brings up the whole issue of the erratic and disorganised variations that each council seem to have to the licenses. Really does need someone like the Local Government Association to formalise and standardise procedures. of course this would not suit the bodies like Object and if everything was thought through they would have less arguments to put out.
TonyN
I got the letter too (wonder who wrote the other letter of support).
ReplyDeleteInteresting that as the objections were the same as last year, they could just be dismissed.
The letter also mentions 2 alleged incidents affecting objectors.
Last year's minutes mentions incidents - presumably the same ones, which were not reported to the police.
http://www.northamptonboroughcouncil.com/councillors/documents/g7283/Printed%20minutes%20Tuesday%2010-Jul-2012%2010.00%20Licensing%20Sub-Committee.pdf?T=1
Note how the objectors state that sexual offences were rising in the area whilst police figures state that they fell!
Okay well we now know 2 of the letters... well done us.
ReplyDeleteHow can anyone claim incidents when they don't report them to the police. Bit shady that me thinks. Cause a fuss throw mud and hope some of it sticks. Nice to see that the venue was well prepared about these points.
And how embarrassing claiming sexual assault is up when in fact the crime has been going down. Almost like someone had read Lilith and believed it so it must be true everywhere. And even stranger when you consider sexual crimes have gone down in Newquay as well. While I wouldn't claim the clubs reduce sex crimes having two areas that suggest that theory is at least interesting.
"How can anyone claim incidents when they don't report them to the police. Bit shady that me thinks."
DeleteDoes it remind you of Object Now's tactics in Hackney (as posted about previously on this blog)?
"And how embarrassing claiming sexual assault is up when in fact the crime has been going down. Almost like someone had read Lilith and believed it so it must be true everywhere."
Again, a case of smear tactics, deployed in the hope that no one would bother to check the relevant data.
Some good news about the Flying Scotsman - it's had its licence renewed for a final year:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.islingtontribune.com/news/2013/jun/flying-scotsman-pub-can-run-its-strip-club-one-year-bid-become-restaurant-and-offices