Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge neighbours blast plans to open boozer
By Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter
Angry Londoners fed up with revellers weeing in their gardens when football games are played nearby have blasted plans for a new boozer to open on their street.
Residents on Walham Grove in Fulham said their front porches are littered with human pee and empty beer cans when matches at nearby Chelsea Stadium kick-off.
They are opposing plans for a tap room and off-licence to operate on the street, council documents show.
One resident said: “We already have to contend with significant antisocial behaviour on the street at night with disorderly behaviour as people leave a number of the drinking establishments.
“Often underaged people are drinking and smoking outside. Adding a licensed establishment will only fuel more behaviour and change the nature of the street.”
The Swimming Pig tap room and off-licence specialising in beers is looking to operate out of 61 Walham Grove from 9am till 10.30pm most days but will only sell alcohol from midday onwards.
The licensing application to Hammersmith and Fulham council drew in 34 complaints with some locals also concerned about traffic and cars getting damaged due to late-night anti-social behaviour.
Another neighbour said: “My Audi has been damaged numerous times. And most days there are lines of cars/vans trying to pass each other. I have seen motorbikes using the pavement when the road is busy. And lots of verbal fights and road rage”
Others highlighted the murder of Salim Coulter, 24, who was shot dead in Walham Grove on November 5, 2016, in front of his friend after having had a meal with them by a rival drug dealer.
One worried resident wrote: “We already had someone murdered in front of that location a few years ago. We definitely don’t want that or any violent behaviour to happen there again. This is a residential street.”
The shop owner, Ms Collette Brown, has promised to comply with a number of demands put forward by the Met, including making sure alcohol isn’t sold off-premises two hours before a football match, that CCTV is installed and that most beers being sold are mid-strength.
They’ve also promised to use plastic cups on match days and assess the need for security.
Ms Brown was approached for comment but had not provided one at the time of publication.
Hammersmith and Fulham council will hand down a decision during a licensing meeting on May 2.
Chelsea FC have been contacted for comment.
Pictured top: 61 Walham Grove, where the Swimming Pig is hoping to open up (Picture: Google Street View)
