Highgate pub loses bid to open until 1.30am

A country-and-western themed pub in Highgate has been granted a new licence – but will not be allowed to stay open until 1.30am as it had requested.

The Duke’s Head, in Highgate High Street, had its recent licence bid approved by Haringey Council but with limits on the opening hours and conditions to address noise complaints from neighbours.

Landlord Theo Hudson said he planned to lodge an appeal against the committee’s decision, claiming it had added “stipulations” that his team did not agree with. He said there had been “no trouble” at the pub and there was “no need” to “limit a family-run business”.

The pub wanted to serve alcohol until 1am and close at 1.30am – the same times that were allowed under a previous licence that lapsed after the former owner went out of business. Several neighbours objected, complaining they had been kept awake by noise from the venue, but others supported the licence bid.

After hearing evidence during a meeting last week, the council’s licensing subcommittee agreed the pub should close at 1am, with last orders at 12.30am.

A Haringey Council spokesperson said: “After careful consideration, the licensing subcommittee has approved the application for a new premises license for The Duke’s Head, Highgate.

“In making this decision, the licensing subcommittee considered a number of objections from residents impacted by noise linked to the premises. To address these objections, conditions have been imposed to limit the number of patrons drinking and smoking outside the premises after 9pm, and ensure that the premises closes at 1am and that alcohol is not served after 12.30am.

“Other license conditions require the licensee to install a CCTV system, keep an incident log, operate a Challenge 25 policy and provide appropriate staff training.”

The applicant has 21 days to lodge an appeal against the decision to Highbury Magistrates Court.