Dear Friends:

First of all, a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who signed this petition!  As of this writing, we have 130 signatures.  Let’s hope our voices are heard by Islington Planning!

Petition Closure

The closing date for Objections to the S73 is Saturday 14 March 2026 and I will be downloading the signatures and sending the petition to Islington Planning tomorrow (Friday 13 March) to avoid any last minute rush.

This petition will then be closed, and all communication via this platform will cease.

The Strength of Writing Your Own Objection to the S73

Writing your own objection is STRONGER than signing this petition.  If you have the time and inclination, please write directly to Islington Planning with your objections.  At the end of this message, you will find some tips.

Another suggestion: Video Evidence

In terms of providing proof of the noise and nuisance created by the QBCI after they open in May, I would encourage everyone to take videos, demonstrating the quietness of their current local (Clerkenwell) living situation (I have been taking videos in the Nautilus Garden) so that we have a point of comparison once the Centre opens.  It’s not scientific, but it is evidence!

Staying in touch: Broadcast Only WhatsApp Group

There has been a small team of us (4 people) doing most of the legwork to try to raise awareness about the QBCI’s Licensing and Planning applications, and we really need everyone to pull together to stand a chance against the QBCI and their crack team of lawyers.

Please join the ‘Broadcast only’ WhatsApp group https://chat.whatsapp.com/FyCOAucHY5cBZd63pfFSfO .  We have already used this Group as a way to organise a planning meeting (see below).

Staying in touch: Meeting at the George and Monkey Pub, Amwell Street: Monday 16th March 19:30

A group of us will be gathering at the George and Monkey Pub, Amwell Street, on Monday evening at 19:30, to meet in person and discuss our strategy at the Licensing Sub Committee Public Hearing (see below).  Please come along and meet us!

Local Councillors’ Surgery: Saturday 21 March Finsbury Library (245 St John Street, EC1V 4NB

I will be attending on this date - please join me to raise our voices to Cllr Matt Nathan.

Good News!  Public Hearing: LICENSING ACT 2003 (HEARING REGULATIONS) 2005 - March 24 18:30pm

As many of you know, the QBCI has applied for a permissive ‘club license’, to serve alcohol and host events from 08:00-22:30 daily.  The closing date for objections to this application has passed (4 March) and some of you will have hand-signed the petition we circulated door-to-door or will have written your own individual objection.

Those who have made representations on this Licensing Application (including all those who signed the previous petition) are invited to a meeting of the Licensing Sub Committee where we will be able to address Members of the Licensing Sub Committee in relation to our concerns.  If you signed the petition on Licensing and would like to attend the meeting, please email carol.jones@islington.gov.uk.  Carol needs to know the numbers of attendees in advance.  You can provide any evidence you want them to consider by sending it ASAP.

“The application will be determined by the Licensing Authority at a public hearing conducted by the Licensing Committee on 24 March 2026. The meeting will commence at 18:30 in the Town Hall, Upper Street, London, N1 1RE.  Please could you indicate whether you intend to attend the hearing, or be represented at the hearing, by emailing carol.jones@islington.gov.uk. If you would like someone to represent you at the hearing they do not need to be legally qualified.”

Press Coverage

On Tuesday 10 March, a small group of local residents (4) were interviewed by Josef Steen, the Local Democracy Reporter for Camden, Islington and Hackney.  The article is due to be published soon.  I was also interviewed by Isabel Loubser at the Islington Tribune on Wednesday 11th March.

Links to the articles will appear on the WhatsApp chat once they are published.

Property Law Advice Needed

I have in my possession a copy of the “Lease of Land and Buildings at the rear of Charles Allen House, Amwell Street” dated 02 March 2010.  These are the buildings that the QBCI occupies.

Clause 3.11 states that there is a condition: “Not to use or permit to be used the Demised or any part thereof … in a manner which is a nuisance, annoyance, danger or disturbance to the Landlord or the owner or occupier of any neighbouring premises.” 

I am not legally trained but will be presenting this as part of my argument at the Licensing Meeting.

If you know anyone legally trained in property law who could help us in this area, please let me know.

Thanks again - and please see below for the tips for writing your own objection to the S73 (deadline 14 March).

Warm wishes, Max

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DEADLINE 14 MARCH

To: planning@islington.gov.uk; Cyrus.Wong@islington.gov.uk //  CC: ruth.hayes@islington.gov.uk; ben.mackmurdie@islington.gov.uk; matt.nathan@islington.gov.uk; emily.thornberry.mp@parliament.uk; Quentin Blake Centre Residents Liaison (residents@qbcentre.org.uk) // democracy@islington.gov.uk

(Also option to send to Quentin Blake - Flat 1, 20 Bramham Gardens, London, SW5 0JE)

Subject: FORMAL OBJECTION: Planning Application P2024/1540/FUL & P2026/0186/S73 – Quentin Blake Centre (New River Head) (you must include your full name and address)

1)      Please OBJECT to ALL components of the S73, citing “Loss of Residential Amenity” & Respite:

Under the recent S73 (“Minor Variation” on original planning), Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration has applied to have:

1)      ad hoc Tuesday opening (added to Wednesday-Sunday);

2)      opening on Bank Holidays;

3)      early morning (8-9am) and early evening (6-9pm) opening;

4)      late night opening once a month;

5)      five extra out-of-hours fundraising events each year;

6)      Private Hires during the day, and on Mondays and Tuesdays “not counted” towards the cap of 24 per year (with potential for 104 additional Private Hires per year).

The cumulative effect of these changes to the original planning will give us no respite and constitute a Loss of Residential Amenity.