Islington Council received a flurry of objections over existing antisocial behaviour near the ‘sustainable’ specialty coffee shop in Islington
A North London eco-cafĂ©’s bid for a later licence has stoked local fears that it would lead to drunk people littering the area with nasty surprises.
Sustainable “concept store” Fabrica X is seeking an alcohol licence from Islington Council for its King’s Cross cafĂ© until 10pm each day of the week.
The application states this is mainly for cocktail masterclasses and exhibitions in the evenings, but also so the company can sell to those visiting the area’s Christmas markets.
Yet the move has stirred local debate about the night-time economy in the area, as some residents were firm in their views that it would worsen a “significant” rise in antisocial behaviour, including public pooing.
“We have more drunk bodies sleeping in the gateways, people defecating in doorways, tailgating vulnerable young women (our daughter included) into properties,” one anonymous couple wrote to the local authority.
They were joined by another resident who pointed to “recent and historic” instances of antisocial behaviour close to the Fabrica X cafĂ©, including “defecation in a public place” on October 11 this year.
On top of this, another resident who preferred to stay anonymous wrote: “I often see men urinating in the street and people being sick after a night out. Drugs are regularly being passed and sold and the noise also goes on [until] the small hours.”
Metropolitan Police data shows the surrounding area of King’s Cross station sees more crime reported compared to the neighbouring areas of Barnsbury, Angel and Clerkenwell, including antisocial behaviour.
The specialty coffee house, which does not currently have licence to sell alcohol, sits in Cottam House – a locally-listed Victorian building.
Parent company Mills Fabrica also leases the site for its co-working space and concept store, a “unique experimental and experiential retail destination offering the public a curated selection of techstyle products and innovations”.
A hearing for the licence was due to take place on December 2, but the application was withdrawn before the panel meeting took place. Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the premises manager said the company will now have to make its case in January.
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