Forum Topic

Mixed News for High Road's Mystery Restaurant

I read this article with interest yesterday and note there were objections. My advice to anyone wjho believes their peace will be disturbed is to object NOW and strongly. My neigbours and I, at the other end of the High Road, have learnt the hard way: we have had five and half years of disturbance from a restaurant, during which they have:- Been given an abatement notice (inadequately enforced)- Had limiters installed by force (then broken off twice by the management - no penalty for the restaurant)- Operated without a licence at all for several months, which led to a public hearing to reapply (this was covered on this website) at which the council's legal representative approved a restriction that was actually not enforceable in law and had to be rescinded. The restaurant was granted a full licence, depsite considerable evidence of disturbance to 13 residents in attendanceThe Licensing team has promised, then failed to follow up, surveillance, spot checks and penalties. Only just in the lst two weeks they have approved late licences on Sundays, not willing to listen to the fact we have a nurse, a child and school teachers all deprived of sleep. Beware those of you thinking that you can 'wait and see' what happens with this new business. This could happen to you. Object to LBH.

Antony Smith ● 58d22 Comments

Has it actually opened now? Their insta suggests there was a launch party on Friday.

Mark Evans ● 44d

That seems like a very fair assessment. Mr Hirji tried to run the venue himself previously but rented it out when a tenant was found. He may try and do the same when the planning permission comes through for late opening. I would imagine he'd prefer an up-scale restaurant to take it up but why should he turn down a night club if that is the best offer for the space?

Francis Rowe ● 49d

If it is anything like the Ochre Lounge used to be at the same location (and I believe has the same owner) it won't be too much of a problem for local residents. If the same skill level that they have shown running rings round the system is demonstrated in operating the venue then it will be a good addition to the area. That said, if someone did want to open a night club, this seems to provide a text book example of how you would go about it.

Anita Blake ● 50d

I'll take it from your unhelpful reply that there is no need for another premises licence application should the unit be let out.In the event it looks like the venue is about to launch as 'The Living Room at the Chiswick' according to the signs that have been put up outside. No mention of food being served and they are advertising for staff for a 'high end bar/lounge'.Obviously we'll have to wait for it to actually open to be sure exactly what type of establishment it is but on the night club/restaurant scale, it seems to be pointing more to the former at this stage.

Mark Evans ● 52d

Have you ever heard of something called google? It is very handy if you want to find out about new things.You should try it.

Michael Robinson ● 54d

I am commenting on your insistence that the application needs to explain the type of food served in the restaurant. I asked you why before and you didn't answer because you don't have an answer. It's just a random notion in your head. How would stating the type of food being served allay your concerns about it being a nightclub?

Paul Campbell ● 54d

Sorry but I don't have a profound knowledge of the Licensing Act. With your expertise in the field perhaps you could give us additional insight into how this works.The people in the vicinity, including a friend of mine who lives in the flats at the rear, are concerned it will be run as a night club. Is it the case if a business of that nature rents the premises, there is no need for a new application?

Mark Evans ● 54d

Honestly this is bizarre. Where do these notions come from?

Paul Campbell ● 54d

The original application covered where live and recorded music could be played.  That has nothing to do with the type of food being served.Even when registering a food business, while the applicant needs to say if it is takeaway, eat-in, wholesaler, catering etc there is no requirement whatsoever to say what type of restaurant it is.

Michael Robinson ● 54d

Wasn't the original application which covered the basement made by the same company which is unwilling to disclose what sort of restaurant it was going to be?

Mark Evans ● 54d

Except it wasn't a license for a restaurant, they were applying for a variation of the existing license to be permitted to have live and recorded music on both ground floor and basement rather than just the basement.

Michael Robinson ● 55d

Why?

Paul Campbell ● 55d

It does seem extraordinary that you can apply for a licence for a restaurant without specifying what sort of restaurant it is going to be.

Mark Evans ● 55d

AFAIK transfer of the license to another licensee just needs the right paperwork but variation of the license would need another application.  The application recently approved was itself a variation to the previous license.

Michael Robinson ● 57d

So assuming the 'mystery' about this restaurant is that the applicant is just trying to tidy up the licensing and planning issues before letting the larger unit out to a third party, does the premises licence carry over to the new business or will a new application have to be made? Presumably as the precedent has been established this would be a formality, if so, unless the new tenant was an actual night club.

Francis Rowe ● 57d

Try sohoIn the 80s the bin lorry came around every day about 5am

Julian Pavey ● 58d

The application for variation of a premises license was granted on 15 October so you are too late asking people to object to the application.

Michael Robinson ● 58d

Talk about nanny state, heaven forbid the youth are out and about after midnight 😂😂😂 well mainly the youth 😂😂😂

Jayne Thorburn ● 58d

It could be said that there's no need for anyone to be out and about making a noise and drinking after midnight! It's not good for anyone's health or that of others who have to work in those conditions.  The much vaunted 'night-time economy' is so often a cover for exploitation and anti-social behaviour.  You could even get punched by an MP!As others have suggested, even with apparent licensing and planning restrictions in place, so many go unenforced that blocking these things in the beginning is probably the better route, as stopping them later is virtually impossible, and might even set a precedent for something just as bad to open down the road!

Peter Evans ● 58d

Well done you achieving a compromise that’s the best way forward. Living in London is a compromise as we live on top of each other.

Jayne Thorburn ● 58d

I had problems with loud music from a wine bar and a deli shop too. Even if they were within the limits (according to them) the music was travelling through the walls, pretty much most of the day and evening , the manager was an a*****e and ignored my complaints. Only when the landlord got involved they turned off one of the loud speakers that was causing all the trouble , they didn't even need that speaker. That shows how some business don't care about people so it's best to act in advance , they only care about themselves 

Isabel ● 58d

Whilst I empathise with anyone living on, above a business on the High Road equally I sympathise for the hospitality business which is on its knees. I guess when buying, renting look around to see what could impact the private dwelling. Noise is part of life in London and living near a thriving high road one has to expect it.

Jayne Thorburn ● 58d