Highgate councillors have stressed the need for tight controls on the granting of a late night license for a pub on the Archway Road, and have cautiously welcomed conditions introduced by Haringey Council’s Licensing Committee.

Local councillors had expressed concerns that about possible noise resulting from a licence extension to the Boogaloo pub at 312 Archway Road. They have welcomed the extensive conditions the Council has now imposed on the premises to ensure the minimum possible disturbance for local people in what is a highly residential area.

At the Licensing Committee last week, it was pointed out that the existing ventilation system in the building needed upgrading and that in summer the doors and windows were often left open, resulting in noise in the area.The Licensing Committee agreed that a better ventilation system should be installed and should be approved by the Council to minimise noise disturbance to local residents.For the same reason, a condition was also imposed for the installation of double glazing in the front windows of the building.

On hours, the following closing hours were agreed: Monday to Wednesday, 11 pm, Thursday, 12 midnight; Friday and Saturday: 1.30 am. Sunday 10.30.

Cllr Bob Hare (Highgate) comments:

“I am relieved to see that Haringey’s licensing committee has imposed a number of conditions on this license. I was also pleased that the owners have tried to meet the concerns of residents by agreeing some compromises prior to the meeting. It must be borne in mind that this is a very residential area and I will be watching closely to ensure that all the conditions are met. I will also be keeping a close eye to ensure that the double glazing is installed in a way that is sympathetic to the architecture of the building.”

Lib Dem leader and fellow local councillor Neil Williams adds:

“With late licences spreading, I am concerned that the Archway Road should not head towards becoming a strip of late-night venues. Population density is high along the road and this is not the West End, where there are comparatively few local residents.

“With other applications in the pipeline, this needs a sympathetic approach from the Council which takes into full account the needs and character of the Archway Road and the surrounding streets.”