African kitchen gallery

AFRICAN KITCHEN GALLERY THREATENED CLOSURE BY CAMDEN PLANNING DIVISION.





We wish to protest about the refusal of an A3 licence by the planning division of the London Borough of Camden.





PETITION AGAINST CLOSURE OF THIS DIVERSIFIED CENTRE.





WE WILL BE GRATEFUL IF YOU CAN SUPPORT THESE PREMISES AGAINST CLOSURE BY THE


PLANNING DIVISION OF CAMDEN.





The African Kitchen Gallery: 102 Drummond Street, London NW1





The Gallery applied for continuity of use as a Restaurant/Gallery as we were


told to do so by the planners and even went for their advice on applying.


This small place has brought tourists and people from all over UK to Drummond


street, so we have enhanced the street.We just don't serve food but the


ambience, the background music and the art all creates a lasting experience


with our customers.





We were given permission 4years ago by our Landlord who happens to be the


Property Division of Camden and we were told that, yes we can serve food so


long as we don't cook on the premises, and we agreed to the terms. A lease


was signed and we started operating.





Almost 4 years down the line we were made to realise that we needed to apply for an A3 (restaurant) license as what we had was an A1 (shop) with ancillary use for food. One should bear in mind that we have been Camden Council's


tenants for 17 years.





Our application was refused on the grounds that there are too many


restaurants on the street and the loss of too many shops; that we are detrimental to the character vitality and viability of the street.





We sell African food and Arts and Crafts.





Yes the planners will come up with policy guidelines - but these should be applied with practicality and common sense. A launderette could not sustain itself on that street,


neither could an asian video shop nor a bakery. They have all converted to


food places.


In fact, 4 places opened after us and are operating as restaurants .We are the only African restaurant/gallery on the street and in the vicinity.





PLEASE HELP DIVERSITY AND COSMOPOLITAN LONDON TO FLOURISH.





This petition is to protest against Camden Council's decision not to grant the only African restaurant in the area a license to operate, when there are a large number of other restaurants (mostly asian) in the street. Already there are about 70\% of premises operating as restaurants, as against the council policy of having 40\%. Yet we are the only establishment being refused permission to operate.





Thanks for your Support .It is highly appreciated.


Management.