Fighting for their right to party, Hackney revellers, businesses, challenge council

A draft statement of licensing policy has provoked widespread public opposition amidst allegations of social engineering in post millennium gentrified boroughs of London. Hackney’s plans to tighten closing regulations, in the home of “Destination Hackney,” have been delayed until next year, when a new consultation will be held in the Autumn, due to “a minor error in the published consultation document” in regards to the opening hours of takeaway restaurants.

As local councillor and licensing chair Emma Plouviez stated, the error “was not related to the part of the consultation affecting nightclub hours.” In Dalston “Venues with ‘a large capacity’ or that are outdoors will not be allowed at all,”, maintaining the existing ban on granting new late night licenses. In Shoreditch, as part of a widening of their Special Policy Area, “no new licenses can be granted except in exceptional circumstances. This policy “is to be strictly applied”.

According to the Hackney Licensing Strategy and the Licensing Act 2003, the current Licensing Policy came into effect in January 2011, was amended in January 2014, and will expire in January 2016. As a result of this new consultation the existing law shall survive into the new year. Local venue owners, as well as some local residents, have got behind the “We Love Hackney” campaign which has well over 4,000 residents signed up to support late-openers.

Headed up by the proprietor of Dalston’s “Street Feast” food market, Henry Dimbleby, the campaign aims to fight the Borough, urging councillors in an open letter that “local bars, restaurants and clubs have brought jobs, investment and new creative businesses” to the Hackney. The night time economy provides 7% of Hackney’s jobs and is one of its fastest growing sectors, as outlined in the council’s draft policy statement. The busiest venues are concentrated around neighbourhoods like Shoreditch and Dalston. Cllr. Plouviez refers to “the vibrant and highly successful late night economy of clubs, bars and music venues” which “add to the richness of life for our residents” whilst serving as “an important source of economic growth.”

The council is keen to restate their intentions amidst confusion regarding the delaying of the legislation. “[We are seeking to] balance the needs of the night time economy with the rights of our residents to live in a peaceful and safe environment,” said Plouviez. As the preamble of the Draft Statement of Licensing Policy notes: “One of the key issues for the Council is to manage growth and find the balance between the wellbeing of residents and the desires of the licensed operators.”

Speaking to Hackney Citizen, a spokesperson for the campaign has said that “It turns out Hackney’s plans are even more restrictive than they had let on, with Friday and Saturday nights ending at 11pm not midnight in some areas. What do Hackney have against people who stay up after 11pm?” Crime fell by 6.2% in London last year, although violent crime rose; and it is clear local councils are introducing plans like these to ensure that crime continues to fall. The council have cited “the concentrations of crime and disorder in key areas such as Dalston and Shoreditch” as the key reason for a retention of the Dalston Special Policy area and the expansion of the Shoreditch Special Policy area which will almost triple the current area.

The reason for this resistance is “increasing levels alcohol use and the impact on public health, particularly with regard to off-sales and high-strength, low priced alcohol.” Concerns regarding grooming of minors on late night premises was also cited as a contributory factor in the prevention of new nightclubs opening. The 2003 Hackney Licensing Strategy and the Licensing Act cites the fact that “Nationally, alcohol related deaths have doubled since 1992, a rate unheard of in almost all other illnesses,” going on to say that “alcohol is often a significant contributor to the local levels of hospital admissions, injury and domestic violence.”

The local public had been surveyed on Hackney Council’s plans in an online questionnaire; however, Hackney Council have declared that there will be a “high profile debate” around the borough’s night time economy next time around. Hackney has undergone major changes over the past few decades, transforming beyond recognition for many long-term local residents. Sky-rocketing property prices have led many to describe it as a prime example of gentrification happening across London.

The number of bars in Shoreditch alone has ballooned to around 300, far more than even the early 1990s. Some former residents are claiming that Hackney is midway through a process of ‘social cleansing’. Others, such as Kingston University student and Dalston resident Annie Hitchman, claim that “There are simply enough [overpriced] bars” and that is that. She added that considering large chain bars tend to be replacing independent businesses it wouldn’t be ‘the worst prospect’ for this process to be halted. Some current residents have come out in support of the council’s policy, with local resident Matt Johnson, lead singer of 80s band The The, saying that only more stringent regulation of new and existing bars can stop “Shoreditch becoming Magaluf”. The foreword to the Draft Statement of Licensing Policy seems to contradict the council’s efforts to brand the borough as “Destination Hackney”, and its wider “I Love Hackney” campaign, both which have been broadly successful in promoting the borough.

Cllr. Plouviez refers to “the vibrant and highly successful late night economy of clubs, bars and music venues” which “add to the richness of life for our residents” whilst serving as “an important source of economic growth.” It is as yet unclear whether the new policy concerning nightlife will work in conjunction with these brands, or whether this will affect the “Destination Hackney” campaign. When asked for comment, neither Hackney Council or the We Love Hackney Campaign responded.

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