Apparently it’s because the residents are fed up of clubbers coming in from outside the borough and pissing in their gardens
Hackney is considering an extremely strict curfew for clubs and pubs. The borough is one of the many places in London that’s been hit hard by gentrification. But is this new proposal taking things too far? The council is seriously considering it.
In a statement strangely called “Hackney will not be closing at midnight” Councillor Emma Plouviez said, “The vast majority of these are in Dalston and Shoreditch. We’re reaching saturation point and in our view these areas are losing the balance between the rights of residents and the rights of businesses. It’s the Council’s job to try and strike this fair balance around quality of life, and this is why we are proposing changes to the Licensing Policy.”
The proposal by Hackney council writes that shops should close by 11pm weekdays and at midnight on weekends. In bizarre timing, the proposal comes shortly after the tubes were announced to run 24 hours at the end of the year.
The council has raised the issue with public after discussing the issue with Hackney locals, some of whom are apparently concerned about pissed revellers “peeing in their gardens, shouting outside their windows at 4am”.
The proposal also says that “It aims to provide a more appropriate mix, and proposes a range of measures such as different opening hours for town centres and residential areas; relaxation of the Dalston SPA with later "core hours" for new businesses; and new acceptable hours for restaurants, theatres and cinemas in town centres.”
Phil Hutcheon CEO of gig website DICE, said: “Hackney is one of the most vibrant cultural hubs in the UK. Its nightlife has given birth to a wealth of creatives, musicians and artists. The proposals the council have put forward are draconian. They don’t account for the interests of the people who live and work here; people who have been drawn to the area precisely because of it’s unique nightlife. It’s not just license holders that will be affected, there'll be a knock on impact on other industries too.
It‘s hard to weigh up – on one hand if your garden is getting regualarly pissed in at 4am then maybe you have a case. But there is no denying that if the curfew does come into place, local businesses will lose money and consequently, residents will be affected too. The council will not go further without residents’ permission, with the ultimate decision to be made August 14, so if you want your clubs open after midnight sign this petition here.
Do you live in, or go out in Hackney? What do you think should happen?
