Finsbury Park

Plans for a pop-up pub in Finsbury Park have been halted after event organisers withdrew their application following a public backlash to the idea.

Events group Assembled Gala wanted a licence to run for an area to park to run from this month to September, serving drinks and staging music and dance, as well as screening films.

But neighbours feared its Open Arms event would be a danger to public safety, cause a noise nuisance and was too close to the children’s playground.

Nearly 1,000 people signed a petition oppos­­ing the application. Haringey Council, which manages the park on the borders of three boroughs, had said it was committed to addressing any concerns around public safety or noise if the licence is granted.

But it did not get to that stage as last Tuesday the local authority’s licensing sub-committee was told the proposal had been withdrawn.

Tom Graham from the Friends of Finsbury Park group said: “Whilst supportive of low impact cultural events, this failed to meet a common-sense test, proposing a ‘pub’­ in the heart of the park for nine hours a day, five days a week, four months long.

He added: “We believe the community voice could not be clearer – access to parks remains critical, break the link between major commercial events and properly funding our green spaces.

A Haringey Council spokesperson said: “The licensing application has been withdrawn by the Assembled Gala. We understand this is due to their operational considerations.”