Tequila Mockingbird shut down in Clapham Junction earlier this year, with the owners reopening the venue as Bad Habits in June after a revamp.
But residents have raised concerns they will continue to face problems as the new bar, on Battersea Rise, has the same management as Tequila Mockingbird.
They voiced their fears at a licensing hearing held by Wandsworth Council on August 7, after Hafer Road Neighbourhood Watch requested a review of the venue’s licence, which is held by Jonathan Bas.
Laurent Kssis, on behalf of Hafer Road Neighbourhood Watch, claimed in his representation to the council residents had endured years of sleep deprivation due to loud noise from Tequila Mockingbird into the early hours of the morning. He said this had led to repeated complaints to the authority’s noise team.
Mr Kssis told the hearing that while the alleged issues had improved since the venue reopened as Bad Habits, he was still concerned by it having the same management and its marketing online. The bar is promoted on website DesignMyNight as a venue “built for… rule-breakers”.
Mr Kssis said residents’ concerns had been eased as they had met with Mr Bas since requesting the review, and he had proposed extra conditions to be added to the licence – including providing a phone number for residents to get in touch and hosting an annual meeting.
But he called for more conditions to be introduced, including reduced operating hours, regular monitoring of noise, a requirement to shut windows and doors, regular meetings to address concerns and advance notice of events.
Mr Kssis added: “We feel over the last seven years we’ve never been heard, and we certainly feel that this is the only chance that we have today in order to do so.”
Resident Roberta Adami also told the hearing: “There has been an improvement… which we’re very pleased with since the bar has reopened.
“I’m still very much concerned about the way they advertise themselves though, because that might attract customers that are not really appropriate for a residential area.
“We’ve got lots of children and my own family has been affected greatly by years of loud music and rowdy customers.
“Our sleep has been disturbed and my child’s sleep has been disturbed for many years.”
Solicitor Felix Faulkner, representing Mr Bas, told the hearing there had been no complaints about the venue since it reopened as Bad Habits, which attracted older customers and fewer groups.
He said no recent evidence had been submitted showing the venue breaching conditions on its licence or directly linking it to antisocial behaviour in the area, which had many late-night venues that also shut at 2am, and that Mr Bas was not aware of residents’ concerns until the review was lodged.
Mr Faulkner said: “My client is a well-respected and responsible operator who has operated this premises for seven years. As mentioned above, no responsible authorities have submitted a representation in support of the review – most importantly the police and environmental health, the lead advisors on crime and disorder and nuisance.”
He added: “Since the change, there have been no complaints from any residents or the responsible authorities with regards to the new operation.
“Based on all of the above it is evident that the premises… upholds all of the licensing objectives and, with the current and additional measures and conditions in place, will continue to uphold the licensing objectives.
“My client is committed to community engagement and would welcome a closer working relationship with all neighbours going forward.”
The council’s Licensing Committee will publish its decision on the extra conditions proposed by residents in the coming days.
