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Kensington nightclub's opening hours cut
A Kensington nightclub will have to reduce its opening hours after losing a heavily contested appeal against a licensing decision.
Amika in Kensington High Street was ordered last February to reduce its licensing and opening hours on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays by two hours.
Owners appealed the decision, but this was dismissed at West London Magistrates Court on Wednesday January 4.
The appeal was heard over five days, when the court heard evidence from the club owners, residents, the police and Kensington and Chelsea Council's environmental health and licensing officers.
The court's decision means the club will have to stop selling alcohol and the performance of live music at 1am from Thursday to Saturday, and reduce the time film exhibitions and dancing finish to 1.30am.
The opening hours of the club have also been changed so that it has to shut at 1.30am instead of 3.30am on those days.
Councillor Doreen Weatherhead, chairman of the licensing committee which looked at the case, said: "I am very pleased that the court has supported our original decision taken in February 2011.
"It was clear to us that residents were being disturbed by noise and nuisance, particularly when customers were queuing to get into and leaving the premises in the early hours of the morning. There had also been associated crime and disorder issues.
"I would like to thank all 12 residents and officers who helped us make such a persuasive case."
In what was described as a 'heavily contested case' by the council, Amika produced several documents and expert witnesses to try and overturn the decision, and made two separate applications to adjourn the hearing, both of which were dismissed by the court.
One resident from Kensington High Street told the Chronicle: "I know people will say it's residents' faults for moving close to a nightclub but the noise could be really excessive, much more than you would expect and long after the club closed.
"Plus people would be vomiting and all sorts in the street having been drinking until the early hours. I'm really pleased about this decision."
The owners of Amika could not be reached for comment.
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I think that it is most unfair to Amika that their business has been destroyed by this ruling. The government does very little to help licensed premises.
Unfair? You try living next to this place and not getting any sleep and then having to get up to go to work in the morning - sleep deprivation is a form of torture and that's exactly how I felt every morning, exhausted. And before you say I shouldn't live so close to a night club then you should know I've lived in this location for over 40 years - a lot longer than this club has been around! You want longer opening hours then move to a non-residential area and you can stay open for 24 hours if you like!
So 12 residents who live on one of the busiest high streets in London have complained they are being disturbed at night time. If you like piece and quiet perhaps you shouldn't live on a High Street that has 24 hour fast food shops several bars and more than one club within 200 yards.
The only residential area close to Amika is Old court house where apartments are in excess of £1,000,000. Perhaps move somewhere quieter. We all have choices in life and if piece and quiet is what you want, move away from a high street, especially when you are dealing with that sort of property value.
If an example is being set here, then we need to stop all traffic after 1am no emergency vehicle sirens, lets close down all bars and clubs in Soho and Mayfair, after all, alot more residents live there. In fact close every fast food restuarant bar and club that opens after 12.
Lets ban smoking because it kills, ban nuclear weapons (oh no sorry, they are ok !!)
If a nightclub cant open late on a high street where can they open?
The council need to remember thats its the London night Life that brings an economy to London, as well as the fact that the other 50% of the patrons at Amika are residents of Chelsea and Kensington also.
It might be a good idea that we close all football stadiums too and also cancel the Olympics because there are residents in the area .
A high street is COMMERCIAL !its a choice if you live there.
One more thing, why did you cut Amika hours and not Kensington Roof Gardens which is actually next to the residential area of kensington Square gardens and only 100 yards away from Amika. Oppps sorry i forgot, its owned by Sir Richard Branson.
By the way, i live on kensington Church Street 135 yards from Amika Night Club. I am constantly woken by Emergency sirens throughout the night, and i also forgot to mention the fire station based on Kensington High Street. Ive never been woken up by people leaving any of the 10 late night venues surrounding us . Its drowned out by 1000s of vehicles passing through the night and the Lorries making their 3am deliveries to Top Shop, Zara and TK Max which are directly under Old Court house (the residents who complained) I expect this living on a high Street.If i didnt i wouldnt live in Kensington.
Public records state that 95 residents live in Old Court House, over 100 in Kensington Square Gardens and yet only 12 complained, and 11 of those were after a review was called, after the initial complaint of just one.
If 12 people can complain about noise on a high Street and get a business closed down just think what we could achieve about complaining things that really matter, like crime, health and education. Or maybe we could complain about the council issuing parking tickets on a single line in Kensington on a Sunday or Bank Holiday.
Nope , priorities. Lets close the nightclub.
Well residents, have you got your sleep now.
Must do, because the other 10 late night venues within 400 yards, the 24 hour Macdonalds, Ramoush take away and Kensington roof gardens which is within 150 yards, both close at 3am and the constant deliveries from the lorries right under your windows or the 2000 vehicles that travel through the high street between 1am and 4am and the 30 + emergency vehicles that pass through with sirens blaring of course are all silent aren,t they ?
Have you noticed how busier Kensington Roof Gardens has got 100 yards away now that AMIka has to close at 1.30am
Jessica - it looks like you work for the owners of Amika
It was an unfortunate decision but I have been to your club many times and its full of riff raff. Whereas the crowd at Roof gardens is more mature (for want of a better word) and does not cause the raucous that Amika's patrons cost.
Your argument to ban emergency vehicles .. I hope you can see the ridiculousness of that line of thought.
I used to live across the road from Merah and never heard even the slightest noise ...
Jessica may be you should experience the torture of the sleep deprivation
and live near a night club and see what's going on....surely then you would change your statement and stupid comments...or maybe you could go to Vienna, see what they doing there with night clubs life then reported and suggested to the Council and the whole system in London, which by the way, is terrible referring to clubs policies.
Jessica please think again before you make such a comment...or put yourself in the skin of those neighbours suffering endless sleepless night.
You sounds as if you are a club goer,or Amika club customer, is that so?