Cally Road 24 hour sauna withdraws license application

The premises at 278 Caledonian Road in the middle of our neighbourhood high street

A notorious business on the Caledonian Rd has withdrawn its bid for a “special treatments” license following representations by councillors and public.

The license application – which would have permitted sauna and massage services – was suddenly withdrawn just hours before it was due to be heard by Islington Council’s licensing committee today Tuesday 11^th September. It is almost certain that the application would have been rejected by the committee of elected Councillors.

The police and Council had closed the business down earlier this year because it did not have a valid license to operate as a sauna. It has never received planning permission for the current non-retail use or for 24 hour opening. Since being closed down, the premises claim to be trading as a barber shop and rest room. The freehold of the building is owned by controversial local landlord, Andrew Panayi.

It is widely believed in the neighbourhood that, in addition to sauna services, the business operates as a place where paid-for sex is available. There are web chatrooms and “consumer review” websites that allege in detail the sexual services that could be procured there.

Caledonian Councillors Paul Convery and Rupert Perry submitted objections to the license as did a number of local residents using the Council’s special dispensation for anonymity.