Holloway Road bar secures booze licence despite residents claiming their sleep will be “threatened”

81 Holloway Road used to house a restaurant. Image: Islington Council

A new venue in Islington has been given the go-ahead to serve alcohol and live music up until midnight.

Filo at 81 Holloway Road won a new premises licence that allows it to serve and sell alcohol and play music on week nights and weekends.

Following a meeting to discuss the application by Jessona Investments Limited on Tuesday 30 January, the council’s licensing sub-committee decided in favour of the plans, despite objections from local residents.

One resident wrote to the licensing officers to “strongly” oppose the application, saying that late night operating hours do not fit the “peaceful” area with cafes, restaurants and shops who “respect” residents.

“The inevitable noise generated from customers leaving the venue, amplified live and recorded music, and disposal of glass bottles will threaten the sleep and calmness of nearby residents in their homes,” the letter warned.

Another resident pointed out that the venue is located within the Holloway Road Cumulative Impact Area, with “several” licensed premises in close proximity to Filo.

Others raised concerns over the late hours originally applied for by the licence holder, including for the supply of alcohol and recorded music until midnight during the week and until 2am on weekends.

In the end, the council pushed back on the opening hours, granting licensable activities only until midnight at the latest.

Police and the council’s noise service withdrew their representations on the application after additional conditions were agreed upon.

The conditions include collection of street litter by the license holder, closure of the outside area by 10.30pm every night, at least one authorised security staff at the premises from 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays and making sure that noise, vibration and odours do not cause a “nuisance” to neighbours.

After approval from the police, alcohol sales required to start slightly later than usual during large scale events with more than 10,000 attendees at the nearby Emirates Stadium.

Here is what the licensing sub-committee decided:

• Sale of alcohol by retail on supplies from 10:00 until 23:00 Sundays to Thursdays, and Fridays and Saturdays, from 10:00 until 00:00
• Sale of alcohol by retail off supplies from 10:00 until 22:00 Sundays to Thursdays and Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 until 23:00
• The playing of recorded music, Sundays to Thursdays from 10:00 until 23:00 and Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 until 00:00
• The performance of live music, Mondays to Sundays from 10:00 until 23:00
• The premises to be open to the public from 10:00 until 23:00 Sundays to Thursdays, and Fridays and Saturdays, from 10:00 until 00:00
• The premises to be open to the public from 10:00 until 23:00 Sundays to Thursdays, and Fridays and Saturdays, from 10:00 until 00:00
• Licensable activities to be extended from the end of permitted hours on New Year’s Eve to the start of permitted hours on New Year’s Day
• Multiple additional conditions, including license holder needs to ensure no internal combustion engine vehicles are used for deliveries from the premises