A neighbour who claims he is ‘regularly blighted’ by the Woodley restaurant he lives above has objected to its owner’s plans to stay open later at night.
Jalpari of Woodley in the Loddon Vale Shopping Centre has applied to Wokingham Borough Council to extend its opening hours, and the times it can sell alcohol.
Enamul Hoque wants to open from 8am until 11pm every day of the week. He has also applied to play recorded music and sell alcohol until 11pm each day.
The award-winning Indian restaurant boosted seating its capacity from 22 to 74 after winning planning permission to expand into Unit 4 of the shopping centre in September last year.
Now, a licensing panel made up of Wokingham Borough councillors is set to decide whether the site can extend its opening hours.
Neighbour Darren Mills has also objected to the plans, claiming himself and other nearby residents are ‘regularly blighted’ by the noise of the restaurant.
He wrote to Wokingham Borough Council: “I cannot see a real benefit to all who live in this area regarding extending the alcohol licence, let alone the opening hours, as we are already blighted by this business and the behaviour of its customers.
“It feels as if we are invisible and without voice when dealing with such problems that arise.”
The neighbour added his ‘quality of life here has been diminished considerably’.
Mr Hoque has agreed with Thames Valley Police the measures that will be taken to follow the premises licence.
This includes CCTV at all hours, and signage of the CCTV in prominent positions.
Staff will also ‘actively’ discourage and disperse people from congregating outside of the restaurant to minimise disturbance to neighbours.
Notices would also be placed at the exits, asking customers to respect neighbours and leave quietly.
All staff would be trained to understand the licensing objectives, age verification policies and more, with refresher training provided every six months.
Posters advertising the Challenge 25 age verification policy will be placed around the restaurant, with a log kept of any times a sale has been refused.
Bodies including Thames Valley Police, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue, Environmental Health, Trading Standards and the Home Office Immigration Enforcement were consulted.
Of these, Thames Valley Police had logged an objection, but it has since been withdrawn after agreeing the licensing plan with Mr Hoque.
The application will be considered by a Licensing Appeals Hearing Subcommittee at Wokingham Borough Council on Wednesday, April 16.
