The Brill Restaurant and Cellar Bar has has now opened at 6-8 Caledonian Road (at Omega Place) and appears to be a major improvement to the former tenant – The DVD Exchange.
They have now submitted their application (PREM/4261) to serve alcohol and provide "late night" refreshment so the Bulletin Board thought it appropriate to notify nearby residents of the details of this application, should they care to comment. The main points are as follows:
-
To permit the provision of late night refreshment between 23:00 and 23:30 on Sundays to Thursdays and between 23:00 and 00:00 on Fridays and Saturdays
-
To permit the sale of alcohol between 10:00 and 23:30 on Sundays to Thursdays and between 10:00 and 00:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
If you wish to make a representation about this Application, you can do so online by going to the Council's website:
http://www.islington.gov.uk/Leisure/licences/LicenceSearch.asp.
There will be a drop down menu for you to select the Street Details – Caledonian Road. This will take you to a page with a number of recent applications – look for PREM/4261. By clicking, you will be taken to the complete schedule and at the bottom of the page you will find a link to go to Representation…
Alternatively you can send the licensing folks an email at licensing@islington.gov.uk. Be sure to state who you are and the Application No. PREM/4261
Kings Cross Environment 
This is an excellent new establishment on the site of a former (unlicensed) sex shop which closed down partly because we got the Council to repeatedly raid them.
One slight glitch with this fine-looking addition to the local scene is that the owners have neglected to get a planning permision for the change of use. I’m no killjoy but the previous permitted use of the site was retail (albeit a pretty nasty type of retail) and this is a restuarant. In the planning lingo, it’s a change from “A1” to “A3” and it needs permission. On the face of it this should not be a big deal … although I would want to know what the kitchen venting arrangements are like so they don’t blow cooking fumes into the homes of Omega Place residents.
In this neighbourhood we are continually battling with pub, club and restaurant owners who sidestep the Council’s licensing policy. This says that, prior to obtaining a license for drink, music, dancing etc, a proprietor should make sure they have planning permission first. In other words, they must establish that the use of the premises is consistent with planning policies for the locality (then they can go and get a license for alcohol and entertainment).
Around KX, one of the things we want to avoid is suddenly finding that almost every shop on the Cally Road is turned into an eating and drinking place. That’s why careful application of policy is very important so we don’t have an unrestrained free-for-all. So far, this has been pretty succesful and the area has changed markedly for the better over the course of the last decade.
Hi Paul
Thank you for your comments; I am pleased you like the site. I would like to point out that the site which occupies the (Brill… to go) was already provided for in A3 use as formerly it was a cafe. The change of use is different for an adjoining location as it basically just forms part of the dining room.
In terms of ventilation we are using the existing extract that the cafe previously had. It was serviced before opening and given an approval for use.
I do appreciate your point that the area mustn’t turn in to a whole street of eateries – however having researched the area we felt that British dining was not well represented in the area, consequently trying to add some differentiation.
I trust the information helps and look forward to welcoming you there perhaps?
Regards
Nick Johnson
Marketing Manager The Brill Group LLP
Hi Nick, apologies for using the wrong forum, but i cant find any telephone numbers or email addresses for The Brill or The Brill Group LLP (tried Google, 118118…), apart from this site.
I need to change my reservation for lunch today from 9 to 12 people. I hope you get this message on Thurs 12/3/09. Pls call 020 7843 4609 to confirm.
Would be shame to lose business. I’m your prime market, local business, already booked and keen to spend more money…
Thanks.
I see that the Brill is now a pub. Did they need to apply for a change of use to A4? Was this granted?