Continuing the Community Bulletin Board's policy of trying to keep local residents aware of Licensing and Planning issues, we were just alerted to the submission of an application for a new Liquor License being requested by The Brill at 2-4 Caledonian Road.

This new license is for a roof-top garden and additional bar on the first floor. The activities proposed and operating schedule can be downloaded here: Download The_Brill-Proposed_Operating_Activities_and_Schedule

The Bulletin Board was alerted to this new application by a concerned resident who lives nearby but who has requested their name be withheld.  

Are you sick of walking past men cat-calling, urinating and hustling at the bottom end of Caledonian Road and in our residential side-streets of Kings Cross?

I’m writing to bring the licensing application “for New Premises Licence: Brill Bar & Roof Top Garden, (and) First Floor, 4 Caledonian Road, London N1 9DU” to your attention and to ask for the help of anyone worried about increasing and extended liquor licences in this area worsening the risks and public nuisance to us all.
 
My core objection, as a resident of Omega Place, is the addition of yet another drinking establishment, encouraging more drunken behaviour into our tiny area which already has The Flying Scotsman and Camino spilling bladder-heavy drinkers onto our streets.

I have no objection to the Brill which has been a positive addition to the area, encouraging diners who drink while they dine; but would like to keep it that way. However, we don’t need another bar/drinking club for another 150+ people; we have plenty already.

I’m no killjoy and am not objecting to drinking per se – just the large numbers of drinkers we’re attracting, which is turning the Pentonville Road/Caledonian Rd and Kings Cross Road into the new Hoxton or Upper Street – with an overkill of bars and noise and public nuisance for its residents.

My other concern is a fear that perhaps The Brill and The Flying Scotsman have one and the same owner?  In which case, "First Floor, 4 Caledonian Road" may actually be an extension to The Flying Scotsman, which is a pretty objectionable remnant of the worst of the “old” Kings Cross sleaze and I’m sure none of us want to see an extension of their hours or space.

The hearing is on 18th January and unfortunately like all Licencing matters will take place at 10 AM at Town Hall - hardly a time when most residents can afford to attend.  However, if anyone would like to send an e-mail response contesting it on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder (there was a raid on The Flying Scotsman at 2-4 Caledonian Road only last Saturday), public safety and prevention of nuisance to licensing@islington.gov.uk, I’d be most grateful.

With thanks, from a concerned resident of Omega Place, Kings Cross, N1.

The Bulletin Board has checked with The Licencing Department and has learnt that:  

The new application actually straddles two premises.  The entrance to the roof is via the Brill at 6-8 Caledonian Road, which is already licensed on the ground and basement floors.  The new bar is on the first floor of the Flying Scotsman at 2-4 Caledonian Road. 

However, it is not clear, if the two establishments will share the proposed new first floor bar.

Of equal interest is, if The Brill is already licensed to serve alcohol on the ground floor AND the basement of it's premises, isn't this new requested capacity a bit excessive?