Owners of Putney Exchange BlackRock propose pergola venue hosting over 500 people


Incipio's Pergola on the BBC Centre roof in Shepherd's Bush

A proposal is being made to construct a pergola on the roof of the Putney Exchange which will create a rooftop venue capable of hosting over 500 people.

It is being proposed by BlackRock, the owners of Putney Exchange, together with Incipio, the operator, who already run a similar venue in Shepherd's Bush.

They have applied to the Council to construct a plastic pergola venue with seating capacity for 422 people and standing space for a further 100 people on the car park roof.



The plan is for this to be in place for 4 years and to start functioning in May this year resulting in the loss of 52 parking spaces. On the application "Pergola on the Roof", Putney, is described as a food led venue with multiple food operators that change on rotation every 6 months. Operating with one main bar to cater for guests and table service will be provided in peak trading periods for 'circa 550 people as per our current roof top venues that we currently operate'.

Local resident Alan Carroll is concerned that the venue will create intrusive noise for the homes in the residential conservation area to the west and north of the Exchange, "The preplanning description is disingenuous in this respect – what is actually proposed is going to be a late night music and food bar aimed at large groups and parties. Go to the Prince at West Brompton (operated by Incipio) and the music is deafening. Looking at Incipio's ventures it is absolutely clear that they do not do 'food markets' in the same way that BlackRock do not do neighbourly benevolence."

Alan continued, "Noise has to be a major concern. 500 clients on a night out will be noisy and the Sonos sound system Incipio use is designed to raise music volume directly in line with the noise people in the venue make. Simply put: the bigger the human 'din', the louder the music. Given that the speakers are positioned at the top of the pergola structure, the potential for interfering with the tranquility and peace of the conservation area night after night is significant. The implications for the quality of life for many are profound. This will be altogether more apparent in summer when windows and vents of the structure are open. No meaningful acoustic attenuation is provided for in the plans".

The existing venues have received positive reviews but noise has been seen as an issue. One quote on Incipio's website states, "The first thing we noticed upon arrival was that it was incredibly busy, particularly for a Wednesday night. The blessing of being on a roof is that it was outside, but I could still barely hear myself think, let alone concentrate on what I wanted to eat. The second thing, after shouting over the noise at each other for a few minutes, was just how beautiful it all looked. We visited on a sunny evening, and that is when somewhere like Pergola on the Roof comes out on top (literally). "

Incipio & BlackRock are obviously aware of the noise fears and in the application it states, 'The venue is located on a rooftop that by its substantial vertical distance from the ground floor will provide a natural barrier to limit any noise traveling from the rooftop to any passersby. Incipio Group is committed to maintaining excellent relationships with our neighbors (sic). Our management will actively monitor noise levels to avoid disturbing our neighbors and surrounding occupiers. Music will be played to create a positive atmosphere at the venue. The sound system will be designed to minimize noise breakout by directing sound inwards rather than outwards'.

The pergola will stand at 6.5 metres above the car park floor line – some 4.5 metres above the line of the parapet. It will be open 12 noon through to midnight. In its preplanning notes the Council refers to it as a 'food market'.

Putney resident, Wendy Howard told PutneySW15.com, "It is hard to believe that anyone could seriously propose to site the equivalent of a giant pub with music and extended opening hours, immediately adjacent to a residential conservation area - let alone one from a provider with a reputation for hosting venues noted for extreme sound, has no noise attenuation and is made entirely of oh so friendly to the environment plastic. If this goes ahead then it is proof positive that the status of ‘conservation’ area is a meaningless classification, and this therefore has far wider ramifications for all other conservation areas and the validity of that status".

Alan Carroll is also concerned about the impact of the clients on the surrounding roads and parking spaces,"It is debatable whether Putney needs another late night drinking venue - the High Street late on Thursday/Friday and Saturday is place many locals prefer to avoid. The pressure on local parking will increase commensurately. The late night reveller will not be able to use the car park which will be closed and will instead use the surrounding streets which are already congested. The entrance to the establishment will be through the main Exchange entrance on the High Street by the Flowersmith. All roads giving access to the High Street will be affected".

Putney resident Peter Ward said,"Planning permission for the Exchange car park was only ever given for it to be just that: a car park. To approve a change of use so radically and drastically different to that poses serious questions as to a high grade Council’s consistency in honouring past process and in their enduring interest in those residents who for so long have placed their faith in it".

We have asked Anne Partridge the Manager of Putney Exchange and Incipio Group to comment.

Deadline for responding to the application is Wednesday, March 28 2018.

March 19, 2018