Lismore Circus

• FURTHER to your report (Licensers refuse to grant booze licence at Lismore Circus shop amid ‘ghetto’ crime warning, August 30), I was glad to be part of a delegation of residents at the licensing panel considering an alcohol application for 5 Lismore Circus on August 28.

Residents have expressed to me how concerned they are about crime and they do not think having another off-licence in the area is a good idea. I agree with them.

Providing alcohol licences in sensitive areas needs to be carefully considered and I am glad the council licensing panel took their time to listen to residents and properly think about this application.

At the hearing I read out a number of comments by residents to show the strength of feeling about potential for crime in the area and how granting an alcohol licence could reverse years of hard work by residents, the police, and the council.

Some of these comments are understandably very strongly worded. We clearly need more police resources in the area and the cuts made under this government’s austerity agenda have left us under great strain.

But I will not talk down the area. I am lucky to represent Gospel Oak. It is a great place with wonderful green spaces, a great market at Queen’s Crescent, Kentish Town City Farm, welcoming neighbours, some fantastic architecture.

I could go on. Myself and my fellow local councillors will keep fighting and working hard for the area and the residents we represent.

CLLR MARCUS BOYLAND
Labour, Gospel Oak ward