An Ilford resident has challenged an application for a Pakistani takeaway to close later.
Lahori Darbar, in Ilford Lane, has applied to Redbridge Council for permission to close at midnight on weekdays and 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. It is currently licensed to close at 11pm latest every night.
The owner of the takeaway, Rizwan Choudhary, has also sought permission to close at 2am during the holy festival of Eid and on Pakistan Independence Day, which is held on 14 August.
Three objections in total were submitted to Redbridge Council ahead of a licensing hearing this week.
A resident in Redbridge said the premises sits at the bottom of Ilford Lane, where there are issues with antisocial behaviour, and a later close could attract patrons leaving pubs or bars late at night.
She also argued there was no need for blanket permission to open late during Eid and on independence day as it could lead to added “rowdiness” in the area.
It is also within a cumulative impact zone (CIZ), which was introduced by the council in a bid to tackle antisocial behaviour in the area.
CIZs create a presumption that applications for later hours will be rejected except for in “exceptional circumstances” where the applicant can prove it will not add to the cumulative impact on the area.
In his application, Choudhary said: “Opening and closing times will be strictly adhered to.
“Customers will be requested to leave premises quietly and respect local residents.”
“Clear signage” will also be posted asking customers to respect the takeaway’s neighbours, he wrote.
Additionally, all staff “will receive regular training on license law, public safeguarding and incident reporting”.
The licensing committee, made up of elected councillors, will make a decision on the application on Friday.
Amended by Chaya Star
