NO FLASK MUSIC

The Flask Letter 24th June 2010

A few neighbours of the Flask, Highgate have received the above letter from the manager of the Flask. The text of the letter reads as follows:-

The Flask                                                                                            Thursday 24th June

Dear Neighbour,

Please forgive the impersonal nature of this letter. I am simply trying to gauge local opinion to a possible change to the license at The Flask.

As you may or may not be aware, The Flask has a rich musical heritage, including, in the past, live performances by famous artists appearances on at least three album covers and it currently retains a great popularity with pop stars past and present. This is a heritage I cherish and hope to revive in some small way.

The popularity of our live music week in October, for me, served as a good barometer of the appeal of live music at The Flask within the local community but I would now like to seek the opinions of my nearest neighbours regarding more frequent musical events in our pub garden.   Firstly, allow me to stress that I fully understand that this is a residential area and I have absolutely no intention to seek a licence beyond the current (1lpm limit and that no music would be played beyond this time.

Secondly, due to the rather complicated nature of the licence application, I am applying for a licence that would allow music on any day of the week, but am personally adding a caveat that there would never be musical events more than twice a week. This is a personalised term for this specific pub which the council would add to any granted application.

Thirdly, we would be seeking to use "moderately-amplified'' equipment. Essentially this means that we would be using acoustic-based instruments with light amplification. To give an idea of this type of speaker, a good example of this would be a buskers' amp.

Finally, I would like to assure you as a local resident that the sound will not impinge unduly on your homes. Those that have lived in the area for some time may recall that our outside covered area which is often mistakenly seen as a post-ban smoking solution, is actually a far older constructor. It was built about 16 years ago as a sound barrier to negate outside noise from the pub emanating into the village. I intend to set up the music events under this cover which, as I'm sure all that have turned the corner into the pub on a busy summers eve will agree, does a remarkable job in deadening the volume.

I have not yet submitted the application to Camden Council as I would like to give my neighbours a few days to get back to me with any questions they may have. If you have any queries, please feel free to e-mail me on theflaskhighgate@london-gastros.co.uk     I would advise written correspondence as we are often very busy during   this   fine weather and I would prefer to be able to give any concerns the time they duly deserve, rather than dashing off with a plate of fish & chips.

Kind regards             

Glyn Morgan

General Manager & Licensee

77 Highgate West Hill, HIGHGATE, LONDON N6 6BU TEL (720 8348 7346)

There appear to be a number of inaccuracies in the letter which I have checked with a few local residents and have now brought to the manager's attention:-

There is no evidence I could find of a rich musical heritage - live music has not been a regular feature of the Flask as far as I can remember, and I have lived in Highgate for over 50 years( the last 23 as the neighbour of the Flask). 

The outside covered area was built  before the smoking ban. This area was accommodate crowds and families with young children - I am not aware that the purpose of this structure was to muffle noise - although it may well serve this purpose.

After the Flask's 'music week' last October, I registered an immediate complaint with the duty manager because of the loud amplification of the music.  At the time the Flask had a temporary music/entertainment licence. I began the process of complaint to Camden on the 11th Nov 2009 but was informed that only the Police or the Council Noise Abatement Team could deal with a temporary licence, and by then it was too late.

In Order to Object - What you can do

Now If you agree with me that amplified music on the forecourt will constitute a  public nuisance please email Glyn Morgan  theflaskhighgate@london-gastros.co.uk stating your concerns

Once the application is submitted, we will have 28 days to react. Please send your comments and objections to Camden (IN WRITING NOT EMAIL) , again citing the public nuisance that you believe will be caused.

Camden Council

Licensing Team

Camden Town Hall Extension

Argyle Street

WC1H 8EQ

Please feel free to copy me in on any emails.or written letters as I will try to co-ordinate these in an overall letter to the Flask and then, at the appropriate time, to Camden (You will have my email and address on the note I put through your door).

Colin DAVID