Many residents in Avonmore and Brook Green will have received a letter from Shaun Bailey, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Hammersmith, with information relating to the current license application by The Crescent (formerly known as The Fox.) for an extension to its current operating hours to 5am on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.
This is a totally unacceptable proposition for a club that is located in the heart of a residential area and indeed in one of the most densely populated areas in London and the entire country.
Residents have the right to peaceful enjoyment of their neighbourhood and what is clear is that such a license extension would deprive many in the area of that right.
My fears are not based on prejudice and irrational concerns I have formed my view based on hard facts and residents testimonies that have come to light since the club first opened its doors.
I would urge the club owners to re think and try to understand the very legitimate concerns of their neighbours – our residents. Residents of this ward are not unreasonable and if the owners of The Crescent took a more conciliatory approach they might be able to run their business more successfully and allow local residents to go about their business in peace.
I would strongly urge all those concerned about this licence extension application to object formally. I understand that objections MUST be received by 29th May 2009 in order to be counted.
Thanks to the very poor licensing legislation passed by the current Labour Government, your objection can ONLY be given consideration (no matter how valid otherwise) if it makes reference to at least one of the four licensing objectives as the grounds for your opposition:
• the prevention of crime and disorder,
• promotion of public safety,
• the prevention of public nuisance,
• the protection of children from harm.
It is absolutely vital that you object to this license application if you don’t want the prospect of persistent disruption, noise and related anti social behaviour right in the heart of our community.
As Shaun asks in his letter I would be very grateful if you would be kind enough to copy your objection you to me and my colleagues in the local Conservative Action Team at 4 Greyhound Road, London W6 8NX or shaun@shaunbailey.co.uk.
We all worked hard to prevent The Crescent gaining a license for lap dancing which would have been a disaster for our community had they got their way.
We have another significant test now with this new license application and the threat this poses to our right to peacefully enjoy the neighbourhood in which we, our children and our friends and families live.
I have no doubt that if we all act now we can put a stop to this unwelcome intrusion!
Joe Carlebach
Avonmore & Brook Green Conservative Action Team