One of Oxford’s oldest and best-loved independent businesses is under threat. Following complaints about the noise from one of its newer neighbours, Oxford City Council’s environmental health dept are recommending that the venue’s hours are cut and music license revoked. Please sign this petition to keep the Hi-Lo just the way Cowley Road has loved it for over 30 years.
The much-loved Hi-Lo Jamaican Eating House has been an established fixture on the Cowley Road for over 30 years, and its unique charm is known all over the world. It holds a special place in the hearts of locals, students, academics and musicians alike. In an area which has changed greatly in recent years, the Hi-Lo is an East Oxford institution and a community hub – a genuine independent local business where people can enjoy good food and drink, music and company into the small hours.
Oxford City Council’s Environmental Health department are recommending that the City Council’s licensing committee reduce the Hi-Lo’s hours from 0200 to 00.30, with no special function nights and to remove live and recorded music as a licensable activity from the licence. They claim that the restaurant and bar is causing a public nuisance and that the management will not comply with any newly imposed licence conditions.
The venue’s licencees have taken notice of complaints and have recently installed sound insulation in the walls and between the floors above the restaurant. This is in addition to the existing acoustic lobby and triple glazing. They are looking at further ways to reduce the noise that can escape.
We ask that these steps be acknowledged, along with the high esteem in which people regard the Hi-Lo, and that Oxford City Council approve the venue’s license.
For those that haven’t guessed, the Hi-Lo was the primary inspiration for this video.
