Camden Council’s licensing committee has approved St Michael’s Church bid to host live evening music concerts, and sell alcohol, despite fears it could lead to an increase in violence in the area.
The Church’s Vicar Father Tom Plant had been working for months to turn St Michael’s into an entertainment venue in order to put the church on the “Cultural Map”, create an income stream for the various services the church offers such as free legal advice and their alcoholics anonymous program, as well fund renovations for the Church, which Father Plant says the church is “in dire need of”. The church could accommodate up to 270 concertgoers.
Camden Town Church / File
The Church also does a lot of outreach work for the high homeless population in Camden, and Father Plant told City News reporters that they do not receive any government funding, and they are entirely self sufficient.
He wishes to maintain the important work the Church is doing for the community.
Father Plant also told City News that St Michael’s will continue to be open every day during the day for mass, worship, sanctuary and service to the poor.
He insists this license approval will not jeopardise their mission.
“We are overjoyed that our license has been approved to host Live Music Concerts, this will allow us to carry on our community outreach programs, help the homeless and fund renovations the Church desperately needs.
It costs us up to £1500 to heat the Church for the Sunday, which we barely are affording at the moment. With the revenue from the live music concerts, we will be able to heat the Church on a daily basis.
Opening a fully functional bar just goes hand in hand with a live music venue” said Father Plant.
The license approval faced fierce opposition from the Camden Council and the local police at first, because of concerns of increasing violence in the already high crime area.
The police stated that there were ornaments in the church that could potential “cause serious harm”, if a fight broke out during a gig. And the council’s licensing team stated that this is an area where already there is a big problem with alcohol consumption, and a church service alcohol in the evening, could send out mix signals.
Father Plant did reassure us that alcohol will only be sold to ticket holders, tickets will be sold for about £15 to £20 and they will not sell any beverage with more than 5% alcohol in them.
Camden locals and music fans are thrilled they will be able to attend concerts in this beautiful environment and insist that people behave differently in churches than high street pubs.
The Church will host concerts up to three times a week, and bookings will begin within the next month.
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HeadlineCamden Town Church receives license to hold live gigs and sell alcohol
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Camden Council’s licensing committee has approved St Michael’s Church bid to host live evening music concerts, and sell alcohol, despite fears it could lead to an increase in violence in the area.
The Church’s Vicar Father Tom Plant had been working for months to turn St Michael’s into an entertainment venue in order to put the church on the “Cultural Map”, create an income stream for the various services the church offers such as free legal advice and their alcoholics anonymous program, as well fund renovations for the Church, which Father Plant says the church is “in dire need of”. The church could accommodate up to 270 concertgoers.
Camden Town Church / File
The Church also does a lot of outreach work for the high homeless population in Camden, and Father Plant told City News reporters that they do not receive any government funding, and they are entirely self sufficient.
He wishes to maintain the important work the Church is doing for the community.
Father Plant also told City News that St Michael’s will continue to be open every day during the day for mass, worship, sanctuary and service to the poor.
He insists this license approval will not jeopardise their mission.
“We are overjoyed that our license has been approved to host Live Music Concerts, this will allow us to carry on our community outreach programs, help the homeless and fund renovations the Church desperately needs.
It costs us up to £1500 to heat the Church for the Sunday, which we barely are affording at the moment. With the revenue from the live music concerts, we will be able to heat the Church on a daily basis.
Opening a fully functional bar just goes hand in hand with a live music venue” said Father Plant.
The license approval faced fierce opposition from the Camden Council and the local police at first, because of concerns of increasing violence in the already high crime area.
The police stated that there were ornaments in the church that could potential “cause serious harm”, if a fight broke out during a gig. And the council’s licensing team stated that this is an area where already there is a big problem with alcohol consumption, and a church service alcohol in the evening, could send out mix signals.
Father Plant did reassure us that alcohol will only be sold to ticket holders, tickets will be sold for about £15 to £20 and they will not sell any beverage with more than 5% alcohol in them.
Camden locals and music fans are thrilled they will be able to attend concerts in this beautiful environment and insist that people behave differently in churches than high street pubs.
The Church will host concerts up to three times a week, and bookings will begin within the next month.
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