NEW pubs, bars and nightclubs hoping to open in the trendy Angel area could hit a brick wall after Islington Council agreed to look at bringing in new powers to block them.
On Thursday, town hall chiefs agreed to consider making the area around Upper Street and Essex Road a saturation zone, which would allow licensing chiefs to take into account the existing number of licensed premises when considering new applications.
A similar zone is already in place in Clerkenwell.
Councillor Susan Buchanan (Lib Dem), who represents St Mary’s ward, said: “We all know that Upper Street and Essex Road are great places to visit and relax. As a result they attract thousands of visitors every weekend.
“But they are also residential areas and the volume of pubs, bars and restaurants in such a small area has a significant impact on local residents and on anti-social behaviour. Residents are telling me that ‘Enough is Enough’.
“That’s why Liberal Democrats launched a petition calling on the council to consider a ‘saturation zone’ policy around the Angel, Upper Street and Essex Road to limit the number of premises with late alcohol licences. I am pleased the council has listened.”
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