"This is not London’s Soho": Residents lash out at plans for Northampton restaurant to stay open until 2am at weekends
Residents criticise plans for a Northampton restaurant to stay open until 2am at weekends, with one objector warning it could bring ‘trouble’ to the area.
Ahenfie Restaurant and Lounge, in Kingsley Park Terrace, wants to open from 8am until midnight from Sunday to Thursday, and until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.
The plans for the Ghanian restaurant were discussed by councillors on Friday September 25, but no decision has yet been made.
Kingsley Residents' association representative Jayne West told the meeting there was no objection to the restaurant itself. But she said the proposed 2am finish on Friday and Saturday nights remained a major concern.
She said: “We welcome good businesses on Kingsley Park Terrace. The objection we have is the 2am Friday and Saturday. It was absolutely unanimous on our residents association. We've seen the mitigation measures however the area is so densely populated with a large number of families. The noise issue is the major concern of everybody into a Friday and Saturday evening where this is not a late night stretch.”
She urged councillors to think carefully about the proposed weekend hours.
One resident's written objection said: “Late-night opening? This could be the start of serious trouble in this quiet and peaceful residential area. No licence should ever be granted for these premises. This is not London’s Soho.
"Who, at this late hour, would want to use these premises? We are frightened by what this could mean for our quiet residential area. We strongly object to this application. Full objection, my Lord.”
Patrick Burke, speaking for the restaurant, said the later hours would give the business flexibility to host private parties, weddings and christenings.
He said: “I think she's just bearing in mind that it did run as a restaurant previously and failed so it's just kind of trying to be able to offer something in today's day and age that is a bit different and that she can utilise for private parties.
"I just think with that little bit of flexibility you know bear in mind this is a new business so she doesn't want to alienate the community by causing problems late at night.
“If people have problems she'll be more than happy to speak to them. And obviously if she feels that by being open till two o'clock is causing issues that she can't deal with then she will deal with that in her own way which is probably just by closing earlier if it's causing problems.”
A decision on the application has not yet been made.
The site was previously home to Ottoman Kitchen, a Turkish restaurant which closed this summer. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) had reported that the business failed to pay more than £100,000 in tax and was fined more than £73,000.
::