Hackney noise complaint - East London revellers enjoy last weekend of boozing before curfew is enfor

REVELLERS last night flocked to East London in a final hurrah for Hackney ahead of the introduction of new nightlife curfews.

Streets were packed with keen partygoers, making the most of the vibrant area's buzzing nightclubs and restaurants on Saturday night.

It comes as the Hackney Council last week unanimously voted for new venues to stick to strict curfews - closing by 11pm on weekdays and midnight on weekends.

The new policy has been met with a huge backlash from local business owners and advocates, with many saying the new legislation would stifle the area's diversity and innovation.

And many pointed out the rules - brought in to address the need of local residents - were at odds with London Mayor Sadiq Khan's call of "London is Open".

But despite the controversy, Londoners appeared keen to enjoy the buzzing nightlife area.

From having a ball in the ball pit at Ballie Ballerson to hitting gigs and pubs, Londoners flocked to Shoreditch and Dalston on Saturday night.

Others were seen scoffing food and drink at Shoreditch's Dinerama, while music-lovers headed to gigs.

Protesters have been out in force over the past week, with campaign group We Love Hackney saying the new legislation could harm the area's "incredible, diverse, independent" nightlife.

Many even dressed up as Cinderella - hammering home their displeasure with the weekend's midnight curfew.

The rules will not affect existing businesses, with the council insisting it would not be a "blanket policy".

But at a protest held at Hackney Town Hall, organiser Jo Alloway said the decision was "against the will" of locals, the Hackney Citizen reported.

Jo said: "Reducing the core opening times affects the way in which people can create those hubs.

"It will also put existing venues in a really precarious position, because where there’s a risk of a venue closing down, reapplying for licensing is going to be more difficult.

"The word gentrification is used very loosely a lot of the time, but the message these shifts in the urban landscape send is that Hackney’s priority is getting the right type of person into the borough, people who can afford big apartments, and catering to their needs, instead of to the existing community."

However, the new rules have been welcomed by some locals, tired of the loud nightlife.

Dip Patel, who has lived in Shoreditch for more than 40 years, told BBC: "There are lots of good businesses that make sure the streets are cleared and the music is down when it gets late.

"It's the ones that allow people to drink in the streets and make noise that are a problem.

"It's impacted my children when they have exams and they don't want to live here anymore because of the noise."

Another resident, Andrew Clarke, added: "If you walk around Shoreditch on a Sunday morning the place is covered with litter, broken glass and vomit."

A local consultation process around the policy saw 73 per cent of residents oppose the plan.

Writing for the Guardian, Philip Glanville, Mayor of Hackney, said: "We’re trying to strike a balance between a growing night-time economy, the interests of the residents who live nearby and the impact on our increasingly stretched public services.

"Since we implemented similar measures from 2005 in Shoreditch and 2014 in Dalston, we have not hindered the growth of the night-time economy, but sought to shape it in a sensitive way to the benefit of all.

"There are now more than 1,300 licensed premises in the borough."

The capital's first ever night czar, Amy Lamé has also asked for a meeting with Hackney's Mayor, saying she was worried the new restrictions would "stifle its world-renowned nightlife".

She was previously criticised for not doing enough, tweeting that local authorities were responsible for licensing decisions, rather than herself or the Mayor of London.

Licensing Chair, Cllr Emma Plouviez said she had recommended the policy, saying: "Hackney has a fantastic nightlife. Our bars, clubs, restaurants and theatres are known across London and the world, and as a Council we are proud to champion the businesses that make such a contribution to our borough.

"However, as it has grown, it is becoming more and more difficult to manage and to strike a balance between supporting our late night venues and the needs of residents who live amongst them.

MOST READ IN NEWS

"As a Council we want to do both.

"It’s important we manage our night life to ensure it continues to thrive, is safe and continues to build on its reputation as the best place in London for a night out.

"We’re a small borough, with high density housing and very popular bars, restaurants and nightclubs, and that brings about tensions that are hard to manage without guidelines in place to help licensees and residents alike."

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErKynZpOke7a3jqecsKtfa4V6fJFsb2igkZi4r7HYZqWooaOaeqS7zKmjmqGeqXqmrdKtZKWnnpm8r3nCrqmfnadk