A pizzeria has made a bid to open two new branches in Redbridge, but is facing pushback from the council and Metropolitan Police.
Mazhar Iqbal is looking to open a new Chef’s Pizza in High Road in Ilford and in High Street in Barkingside.
Both venues would be selling fried chicken, pizza, chips and soft drinks until 3am, seven days a week.
Three objections have been lodged against the new branches by the Met’s licensing team and the council’s licensing enforcement team and community protection task force.
The Met has asked for the application to be refused outright, saying that late-night takeaways attract “noisy and antisocial” drunk people into the area.
“This can involve, urinating against private and public property, vomiting on residential and business doorsteps, defecating, shouting and fighting,” the Met warned.
The council’s licensing team described it as a “very poor application” and similarly asked for it to be refused.
In its objection, an officer said there was a “correlation between premises with extended hours and crime and disorder, antisocial behaviour, and public nuisance” and especially so in Ilford.
Residents in the area have also complained about the noise from delivery drivers arriving on motorbikes and scooters.
In a bid to address any risks, Iqbal said that staff will report any incidents to the police while maintaining a “comprehensive” CCTV system that captures clear, identifiable images.
The system will be “secure,” and footage will be retained for 31 days. Police will have access to footage and copies when required.
Additionally, all customers will be asked to leave quietly, he said, and “clear and legible notices will be prominently displayed to remind customers to leave quietly and have regard to our neighbours”.
There will also be a limit of twelve customers at any one time.
The council’s licensing committee, made up of elected councillors, will determine the application at a hearing next week.
