A north London Turkish restaurant could have its license revoked for several alleged breaches of its conditions following complaints that it is operating “more like a nightclub”. Officers reported that people were allowed to smoke inside the venue, with a DJ playing loud music “regularly until 3am” when the premises are supposed to close at 11pm.
Alaturca Lounge on Kingsbury Road in Brent is to have its license reviewed after attracting a catalog of complaints from police and residents, including alleged noise disturbances, anti-social behavior and opening after hours since owner Gokcan Algul took over the premises last April the year.
The restaurant is part of Roe Green Park, which is located inside the park lodge. It has been called an “absolute nuisance” by some furious local residents who have complained of being repeatedly woken in the early hours of the morning by the noise. One resident in their 70s who claims they “suffer from age-related deafness” said they have even been woken up at 3am on several occasions.
Another resident said: “They play loud music into the early hours which can be heard inside my home and we are half a mile away across the park. There is also a lot of shouting and people making noise. Also the cars park on pavements and generally have customers no respect for the surrounding residents.”
They added: “They are in breach of the current license (…) and will be in breach of any extensions. (I’m) not sure the local park lodge should be operating as a nightclub at all.”
Police have also been called to the premises on several occasions in the past 12 months, including an incident in May last year where someone was attacked with a bottle, leaving them with a cut to the head, as they left the premises. at approximately 2:00 a.m.
During some of the many visits to the restaurant by police, officers raised serious concerns that the venue was breaching its license conditions. They noted that the interior “looks more like a nightclub” because there was loud music playing, neon lights on the walls, and people were allowed to smoke cigarettes and hookah.
Council licensing officers have recommended that Algul’s license be revoked after a number of previous warnings were not followed. A decision on whether or not to revoke the license will be made by Brent Council’s alcohol and licensing sub-committee on May 8.
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