Homeowners fear ‘demise’ of Camden Passage – because an upmarket deli called Le Coq Epicier wants to sell fine wine
Le Coq Epicier in Camden Passage. Picture: James Morris - Credit: Archant
Camden Passage neighbours have urged Islington Council to stop the “dismemberment” of the famous antiques street – after an upmarket deli called “Le Coq Epicier” applied to sell wine.
Neighbours fear Camden Passage's heritage has been compromised. Picture: Jonathan Chan/Flickr/CC BY 2.0 - Credit: Archant
Applicant Yohann Meignen wants a Monday to Sunday booze licence so he can sell fine wines. He made it clear in council documents that “cheap wines” will not be tolerated.
The deli’s products are described on its website as: “Carefully selected, hard to find specialties from French local producers who have crafted original, flavourful recipes from premium quality local ingredients.”
But four neighbours have objected on grounds of the number of food and drink outlets that have opened in Camden Passage. One said: “I do not think we need another food outlet serving alcohol near my house. Can we please put a stop to the dismemberment of Camden Passage?
“The continuous infiltration of restaurants and bars will ultimately lead to the demise of the world-renowned antiques market. Camden Passage should be given special policy area status to help preserve its character and to stop it becoming indistinguishable from any other high street.”
Neighbours fear Camden Passage's heritage has been compromised. Picture: Jaypeg/Flickr/CC BY 2.0 - Credit: Archant
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Another said: “As a long-standing resident of Camden Passage over 50 years, I have seen the change from internationally famous antique centre to an area of specialist retail shops.
“This acceptable development has been threatened recently by a large number of food and drink outlets, a number of which have been granted alcohol licences. As a result, the nature of the public has changed in Camden Passage. In my view the alarming growth of food and drink outlets granted alcohol licences has long reached saturation point.”
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But in his application, Mr Meignen said: “This is going to be an upmarket delicatessen that sells fine wines. Wines will only be sold along with other items from the delicatessen and we will not be selling cheap wines. If any wine is consumed on the premises, this will be for the cheese board once a week when customers will be invited to taste our cheeses.”
He added: “There will be no heavy drinking.”
The application will go before Islington Council’s licensing sub committee on April 3.
