Bardens Boudoir to increase capacity in Dalston’s ‘over-saturated’ nightlife zone

Bardens Boudoir on Stoke Newington Road. Photograph: Google Street View

A bar in Dalston has been given permission to increase its capacity despite being in an area where late night drinking is at “saturation point”.

Bardens Boudoir, a café-bar on 36 Stoke Newington Road sits within Dalston’s Special Policy Area (SPA), a zone brought in by the Council earlier this year in an attempt to reduce noise, anti-social behaviour and litter caused by nightlife.

The SPA covers the area on Stoke Newington Road and Kingsland Road from Middleton Road in the south to Evering Road in the north.

Rio Cross Residents Association claim Bardens’ planned extensions will double the venue’s size, increasing capacity in an area already “over-saturated” with clubs and bars.

Ursula Huws, Secretary of the Rio Cross RA said: “The view of local residents is that the area is already over-saturated with clubs and bars and the police and wardens are stretched beyond the limits of their capacity in trying to control the anti-social behaviour that results from their presence.

“Any extension of any existing license under the present circumstances (however ‘responsible’ the proprietors may, or may not, be) only exacerbates this situation.”

But Bardens, who received 21 letters in support of its application from neighbouring venues and customers, said it was glad the Council had recognised they were “good operators”.

Owner Cilem Morogku said: “We’re really pleased that we have been granted the variation to our license. We’ve operated in the area for 10 years in one form or other and it has become increasingly competitive.

“It’s great that council has recognised we’re a good operators and we have a reputation for catering to local people.”

Following a three-month consultation period with local residents and businesses, Hackney Council approved the SPA in January.

Although 41 per cent of properties in the immediate vicinity supported the proposal, overall 84 per cent objected to the scheme.

The SPA does not prevent new licences or changes to licences for existing premises being granted. However it does require any applications to demonstrate they will not have a negative impact on the area.

Hackney Council has been approached for comment.