The Wheatsheaf is currently closed for refurbishment but it's clearly planning much more than a fresh lick of paint.The pub has put in an application which would enable it to stay open until 3am Mon-Thu and 4.30am Fri-Sun.
The main points of the application are:
- To serve alcohol between 10am and 2.30am (4am Fri/Sat/Sun and 5am on New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Christmas Eve and Boxing Day).
- To be open to public from 10am to 3am (4.30am Fri/Sat/Sun).
- To be able to show films between 10am and midnight.
- To host "indoor sporting events" (pub quiz and poker nights are mentioned between 10am and 1am (2am Fri/Sat/Sun).
- Live music between 10am and 2am (4am Fri/Sat/Sun).
- To play recorded music 10am-2am (4am Fri/Sat/Sun).
- Quiz night and poker night 10-2 (until 4am Fri/Sat/Sun).
- Provision of late night refreshment (food) between 10am and 1pm (2am Fri/Sat/Sun).
Almost the only thing they haven't applied for is "Boxing or Wrestling Entertainments".
You can view the application here.
The last date for representations (i.e. objections) is 24 November 2010.
Information on how to make a representation is here.
Although the Wheatsheaf isn't terribly near Tradescant Road I do worry that this is the thin end of the wedge and may create a precedent that the many bars nearer to us on South Lambeth Road might employ to apply for their own extensions.
Interesting, and possibly worrying for local residents. If you wish to object to the licence, then my experience from the Kelly's 5am debacle along Dorset Road is to organise together.
ReplyDeleteSpeak with the local Councillors to sound out their views. If they are against the licence, then ask them to work with you to organise a petition.
The local Safer Neighbourhood Panel is crucial here. If the police believe that any licence will have an impact on crime in the area, then ask them to make a representation to the Licensing Committee.
But most importantly, just talk with local people and go door knocking. This worked with tremendous results for us down the road by Kelly's.
I think that there is a very real danger of the floodgates opening, once one venue is granted an early hours licence. In your favour is planned new government legislation that gives more power to residents, rather than bar owners who want to make pubs become clubs.
Thanks for the advice, Jason.
ReplyDeleteI have today written to the three Oval Ward councillors in whose ward the Wheatsheaf is based.
http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/moderngov/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0
Next stop Safer Neighbourhood Panel...
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ReplyDeleteI don't mind to have Wheatsheaf open late. Maybe it is actually a good idea. It is not that far and if the management thinks that they can survive I wish them best of luck. Bear in mind that that pub generally lasts for a year before new management takes over.
ReplyDeleteWe can always complain against our Portugese bars being open late.
I really do sympathize with the Wheatsheaf's owners. Though it would seem a decent location for a pub (visible location, hotel across the street, fairly residential area, with a few local workers coming in as well), it always seems to be struggling, or under new management.
ReplyDeleteAllowing live music and drinking until 4:30am indicates a radical change of purpose – no one drops by the pub for a convivial pint at 4:00am – and I can't see how turning the Wheatsheaf into a disco will bring any benefit to local residents, the neighbourhood, or the Borough. A few people may visit late night, but I suspect patrons will mainly come from outside the area. There will be minimal new employment.
It will almost certainly bring problems, however. A couple of the cafes along South Lambeth Road already have late licenses, and while they don't take full advantage of them, we already have problems with noise, broken glass and other litter on the pavements, poor handling of commercial waste, and occasional harassment by drunken loiterers. Responsible management and a Council willing to enforce the rules could deal with these issues, but we don’t have either of those.
I will voice my opposition to the application.
I heard back from Lambeth licensing today. They say:
ReplyDeleteRepresentations must express concern for one or more of the licensing objectives:
· Preventing crime and disorder;
· Public safety;
· Preventing public nuisance; and
· Protecting children from harm.
If representations are received then a committee hearing must be held to determine a decision on the application.
If there are no representations then they have to grant the application after the consultation period.
If a hearing is held, the sub committee will see all reps and the report and residents and interested parties can speak at the hearing also.
Crime and Disorder: Check
ReplyDeletePublic Nuisance: Check
Public Safety: It is on a busy road, without much opportunity to create a buffer between queuing patrons and traffic.
Children: It is next to a school, which could be detrimental to children - though I'm not sure when the two groups would intersect. Perhaps when an overenthusiastic partier passes out in the school's doorway.
Like the new look of the site.
ReplyDeleteIf I was taking over the Wheatsheaf, which as Matt says inexplicably fails to find a niche in the area, I would aim for something that appealed to the gay clubbing crowd, like the Vauxhall Tavern. There's a lot of traffic on SL road to and from the bigger clubs further up, and a 4am license would work well for that.
I really don't the South Lambeth Road to turn into a 24 hour party zone, pub by pub. The clubs up by the station are fine since they are a distance away from and residential property but if more and more bars become all night places, the area will become intolerable. I'll be opposing the proposal and would happily join in any organised local opposition, as per the Kelly's example mentioned above.
ReplyDeleteTia maria tapioca bar (at the "tate library" bus stop) now has a sign up saying that they're moving to the wheatsheaf. Its always been vibrant but pleasant, and fairly late opening, so perhaps no new news after all.
ReplyDeleteSimon - Thanks for your offer. Could you get in touch please? AndrewOrange at gmail.com. Thanks.
ReplyDelete