Highbury residents and Islington Labour’s councillors for Highbury East, Cllr Sue Lukes and Cllr Osh Gantly, have objected strongly to proposals for an ‘open all hours’ steakhouse and nightclub on Highbury New Park.

What used to be the White House Pub, an imposing Victorian building on Highbury New Park, is subject to plans by its new owners to turn it into a restaurant, with live music and late night refreshments, with space for 300 people.

However, Islington Council’s planning department and Licensing Committee have blocked these proposals.

Planners have already refused permission for some of the works and recommended enforcement action be taken. Now, the Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee also refused a premise licence application for alcohol, music and opening hours until 2am.

Local residents and their Islington Labour ward councillors have made it clear that they will continue to stand together against any further attempts to push through these unwelcome changes to the building.

Cllr Sue Lukes, Islington Labour Councillor for Highbury East, said:

“I live on the Highbury Quadrant estate, as well as being the ward councillor, and I was appalled when I saw the proposals for licensing the new restaurant. It is a quiet and friendly residential area, and we don’t want a roadside steakhouse or nightclub open to 2am in the middle of it – especially one run by people who appear to have already flouted planning rules to mangle a lovely old building.

 

“I’m glad the Council has refused planning permission and recommended enforcement action, and I’m very pleased the Licensing Committee has also turned them down, as so many residents like me asked them to.

 

“We love our diverse local cafes and restaurants, but local people deserve much better than some blot on the landscape and being forced to endure hundreds of cars from all over London coming to this establishment, keeping us awake at all hours.

 

“We’ve seen them off for now, and we will see them off as often as we need to.”