Camden Council approves vicar's proposal to serve alcohol in church

The Camden Council has approved a vicar's proposal to serve alcohol and turn the town's 19th-century church into a music venue.

Father Tom Plant, who became the vicar of St. Michael's Church last January, applied for a license to serve alcoholic drinks at the church in August, saying that Jesus "turned water into wine for a reason," The Sun reported.

The vicar plans to set up a stage at the church, complete with lighting and sound systems, but he assured his congregants that there will be no mosh pit and that the church is not in danger of being destroyed by those who will attend the gigs.

In late September, local police and council bosses objected to his plans, stating that turning the church into a music venue could result in more drunken violence. The police were worried that the church decorations, such as candlesticks and crosses, could be used as weapons if a fight ensues at a gig.

Toby Daynes, a Licensing Enforcement Officer for Camden Council, wrote to local councilors telling them to vote against the vicar's proposal.

Daynes noted that street drinkers are already prevalent in the area surrounding the church, and he fears that the new venue would add to the "shouting and screaming, urinating in residential areas and fights" that occur within the vicinity.

"We feel that a premises that is often seen as a sanctuary for local people with drinking problems then providing alcohol creates mixed signals for vulnerable people and could further undermine the licensing objectives," he added.

Critics of the proposal also noted that the vicar's plan to designate three church volunteers as bouncers is insufficient.

Last week, the council gave their approval after no locals came out to oppose the plan, on the condition that the 300-capacity be reduced.

"I place some weight on the fact that this application has not generated any objections from residents," said Maryam Eslamdoust, the council's licensing chairwoman.

"I place some weight on the fact that two of the ward councillors support this application and they both have detailed knowledge of the locality and of the licensing measures and objectives that we have in order to prevent cumulative impact," she continued.

The church is now permitted to serve alcohol from Monday to Friday between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m., and bands are allowed to perform thrice a week.