Camden Greek taverna previously under threat gets licensing go-ahead
Camden Town Hall. Photograph: Camden Council
A 50-year-old Greek taverna in Camden Town has been granted an application to serve alcohol from its upcoming extended premises.
Andy’s Taverna, on Pratt Street, has been trading since 1967, and was granted permission to update its alcohol licence to reflect the enlargement at Camden Council’s 9 August licensing panel.
Licensing consultant Peter Sparham appeared at the sub-committee as agent for the business.
Sparham said: “Andy’s Taverna has been in existence for 50 years, and the premises is a well-run and responsible operator.
“The extension of the premises will be into a disused building, and the whole street seems to be closing, so this has the potential to enhance the area.”
Andy’s was the winner of a TripAdvisor certificate of excellence in 2018, and boasts on its website that it is “popular with many celebrities”, with Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty rumoured to have paid visits.
The future had not always looked so rosy for the venerable Peloponnesian eatery.
In 2014, there were reports that Andy’s could be forced to move as a result of its freehold being acquired by property developer REV 1 Limited.
The news that Andy’s licensing application has been granted may come as welcome news to Labour members of Camden Council.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Abi Wood (Lab, Haverstock), chairing the panel, said: “I must be the only Camden Labour councillor who’s never been.”
The taverna sits within the Camden Town cumulative impact policy area, set up in 2005.
Inside the area, it is presumed that all new or variation applications to alcohol licences will be refused, unless the business can demonstrate that it will not add to the impact of the nighttime economy on residents.
Conditions were imposed on the business that customers may not drink whilst stood at the taverna’s bar, as well as setting last orders at 10:30pm.
Cllr Lorna Russell (Lab & Co-op, Fortune Green), said: “It’s clear that it is a very well-run establishment. I’m glad that they have offered to reduce their framework hours to within policy.”