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In this week's Time Out Magazine we informed you that the WeLoveHackney Campaign was launching with a party tonight at the newly reopened Dinerama in Shoreditch – an event arranged to protest against some pretty draconian licensing measures that Hackney Council was proposing. Essentially, the stiffs in the suits have it that the number of late-night clubs and bars in Dalston and Shoreditch is ‘reaching saturation point’ and negatively impacting residents.
So, the council’s updated draft licensing consultation aimed at making it harder for new places to open in Shoreditch by enlarging the locality's Special Policy Area (SPA) – an area in which new licenses are issued only in 'exceptional circumstances' – whilst also maintaining Dalston’s pre-existing SPA (where license applications for new nightclubs and dance venues are controversially termed ‘not considered appropriate' by the council).
The consultation also detailed a borough-wide hours policy for new license applications.
But good news east London party people: the proposals have been rescinded, for now anyway. Apparently Hackney Council 'discovered' a 'minor error' which means that instead of closing the consultation this Friday, it'll now be postponed until next year. We reckon tonight's launch will be a celebration of this small victory and Hackney's nightlife, instead of a full-on war strategy meeting. Until next year, party on London!
Find out more about the delayed proposal at hackneycitizen.co.uk.
By Sammy Robson