For those that live near the King Charles I at Northdown Street, you should know that a request to vary their licensed hours has been submitted to the Council. We were notified of this by our Councillor Paul Convery who himself just received the info. Please review the points of the application shown below and if you wish to comment ensure that you do so prior to 16 November.
The details of the application are as follows:
Application Number: Premises Licence (Variation) – Prem/3508
Premises Name: Kings Charles I – 55-57 Northdown Street, London, N1 9BL
Received by the licensing team: 19th October 2007
Last date for representations: 16th November 2007
Details of application: The variations to be made are as follows:
Live Music: 12:00 to 24:00 on Sundays to Thursdays, 12:00 to 02:00 Fridays and Saturdays
The sale of alcohol: 12:00 to 01:00 Sundays to Thursdays and 12:00 to 03:00 on Fridays and Saturdays
You can find a copy of the application at Licensing Online on the Islington Council Website (http://www.islington.gov.uk/Business/regulations/licences/LicenceSearch.asp – at search at bottom of page, use street details to select Northdown Street; a series of applications will come up and select Prem/3508). You can make your comments there or by sending an email to: licensing@islington.gov.uk (be sure to provide your local address and the Application Number – PREM/3508 in your email and do so prior to 16 Nov. I would also suggest that you copy Councillor Convery with any comments – paul@convery.org.uk
If you have any additional questions, contact Sarah.Ewum@islington.gov.uk
Kings Cross Environment 
I regard this as a rather bad proposal. They want a license at weekends to serve alcohol until 3am and music until midnight. In theory, I think liberalising licensing hours is a good idea but not to this extant nor in such a sensitive location. The problem is that a formerly quiet backstreet neighbourhood bar (an old style boozer) is aiming to become a roaring Kings Cross nightspot. Whilst a lot more people eating, drinking and enjoying life around here is OK, it’s got to be tempered by a regard for the folk that live nearby. And, there is a place of worship directly opposite which deserves some respect. So, I shall vigorously oppose this application and encourage residents to do similarly.
This bar is tiny, and is a good neighbourhood pub. But it is far too small for what they want. As it is, lots of drinkers sit outside. Not a problem at the moment. But a loud music venue with people drinking outside until 3 in the morning (especially in the summer) is a horrendous thought and would be a real nuisance.