Lambeth Council wants to ban alcohol being served after midnight in several venues following complaints from neighbours.

A public consultation is running on whether an Early Morning Restriction Order (EMRO) should be imposed on three venues and an off-licence in Clapham.

Lost Society, The Artesian Well, Mist on Rocks, all in Wandsworth Road, and Vesco News Off-License, in North Street, are all under threat.

If implemented the EMRO will ban the sale of alcohol from midnight to 6am in the affected area.
Any breeches would result in the venue being stripped of its license and owners prosecuted.

Councillor Jack Hopkins, Lambeth's cabinet member for safer and stronger neighbourhoods, said: "Residents have been complaining about alcohol-related problems in this particular corner of the borough for years, including nuisance, anti-social behaviour and large amounts of noise.

"New legislation gives us an opportunity to speak with local residents about the impact of alcohol related anti-social behaviour and act on issues they raise.

"We’ve worked with the businesses and residents in this area for a number of years but the problems haven’t stopped.

"The businesses have taken guidance from the council and police, but we remain concerned that this residential area just cannot cope with a number of late night clubs and the amount of people it attracts at a late hour."

Bar owners have said it would be the death knoll for businesses in the area and destroy the London evening scene.

James Parfitt, director of Lost Society, said: "If it comes in it would be the end of the Lost Society.

"If it kicks in there will be a domino effect. All of the other boroughs will be affected, it will put blankets on places.

"Everyone will be out on the street at the same time, it will make it even worse."

Councillor Jonathan Cook, cabinet member for environment, culture and community safety, said Wandsworth Council are unlikely to consider an EMRO order.

 

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