Licensing

Licensing being TRACT

  • Camden Market
  • Players Bingo
  • Zero 40
  • Vagina Museum
  • SLAPFISH
  • Artos
  • Bite me Burger
  • Lock Tavern
  • Democracy

Buck Street Market

LabTech Camden Market

192-198 Camden High Street NW1 8QP


Licensing Information & Guidance

How the council implement their Licensing policy

Camden council will grant a licence application by default, if they do not receive any representations against the application during the 28 day public consultation period, even if it is in a special policy area, with the PRESUMPTION to refuse any more alcohol licenses since 2005.

Therefore it is vital that the public make representations for their neighbourhoods, to protect yourselves from even more alcohol related social issues.

Protection is not, it seems, automatically provided by our council!

For 14 years, since 2005, Camden Town has had a "cumulative impact policy" in place

Cumulative impact is the potential negative effect on the promotion of the licensing objectives of a significant number of licensed premises concentrated in one area.

A cumulative impact policy creates a rebuttable presumption that the council will normally refuse an application for a new premises licence or a variation of an existing premises licence, which is likely to add to the existing cumulative impact.

Cumulative impact can apply at all times not just at night, and can apply to any licensed premises not just those that supply alcohol.

Camden Town cumulative impact policy area:

Camden Statement of Licensing Policy 2017 - 2022 Map of Camden Town cumulative impact policy area

Introduced in 2005, this cumulative impact policy was meant to address concerns about large numbers of people leaving an area at night and the resulting pressure on transport infrastructure, street cleaning services and police resources, combined with an increase in public nuisance and crime and disorder.

Making a representation

Commenting on a licensing application is known as 'making a representation'. You can comment on applications for:

  • new premises licences
  • variation of a premises licences
  • review of a premises licence

You can support or oppose applications. You must comment on how the application could affect the licensing objectives, which are:

  • prevention of crime and disorder
  • protection of children from harm
  • public safety
  • prevention of nuisance

Your comments must be reasonable.

The council will grant a premises licence if they don’t receive any representations during the 28 day public consultation.

What happens next

The council will review your comments to ensure it is relevant to the licensing objectives. They will then send your comments to the applicants.

If the applicant doesn’t deal with your concerns, the application will be discussed at a licensing panel. You will be invited to attend and tell the panel about your concerns.

Licensing policy

Under the Licensing Act 2003, each Licensing Authority is required to publish a statement of its licensing policy every five years.

Statement of Licensing Policy 2017 to 2022

The council's statement sets out the principles they will apply when carrying out their licensing functions. It plays an important role in their wish to manage alcohol in terms of regulation and public health concerns.

It sets out how licensed premises should operate and contributes towards achieving:

  • reduced levels of crime
  • a vibrant cultural and leisure offer for residents, businesses and visitors that is safe and attractive

The current statement expires on 30 January 2022.

Download: Statement of Licensing Policy 2017 to 2022 (PDF)

Temporary Events Notice ( T.E.N. )

A temporary event notice (TEN) is needed if you want to:

  • sell or supply alcohol
  • provide entertainment such as live or recorded music, or dancing
  • sell hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am

There are some restrictions. The event cannot:

  • have more than 499 people present at any time including staff
  • last longer than 7 days or 168 hours


Applying for a temporary event notice

The terms and conditions

A TEN must be applied for at least 10 working days before the event or between 5 and 9 working days for a late TEN.

There is a fee of £21.

Apply as a resident

Apply as a business

For events in a public space, you must also get permission from the events team.

What happens next

The Council environmental health team and the police have 3 days to check your application.

If they object to the application, they will refer the application to a licensing panel hearing.

With a late TEN they will just refuse the application.

If the council don’t receive any objections within 3 days, they will approve the TEN by email.

An unfair burden upon the public

Despite the fact that Camden Town has had a cumulative impact policy in place for 14 years, Camden Market continually apply for new licenses, every year, throughout the year, and if no residents make a representation against the applications then - The council will grant the premises licence by default, if they do not receive any representations against during the 28 day public consultation.

This is such an unfair burden on residents, and the representation process becomes more time consuming when it requires a hearing. Residents' lives can become dictated by these representation deadlines and hearing dates, with their strict bureaucratic rules which pile the burden on the public.

There is an imbalance of burden that is placed on residents by this licensing procedure, which can be illustrated by the fact that the license applicant can change the date of hearings, but those having to make a representations against cannot.

2019

LabTech started consultation on proposed licenced areas within the new development (including shadow licenses). They are seeking circa 30 new licenses

Representations by 21.06.19

ALL THESE LICENSES WERE GRANTED BY CAMDEN COUNCIL DESPITE STRONG REPRESENTATIONS AGAINST BY TRACT AND COUNCILLORS


Camden Council's Public Licensing Register