A restaurant that “acted like a nightclub” and flouted Covid lockdown rules has been stripped of its licence to sell alcohol and play music.
Councillors revoked the premises licence for Red and Black Restaurant in 682 High Road, North Finchley, after neighbours repeatedly complained of loud music being played until the early hours of the morning.
Police also found the restaurant was operating during lockdown – in breach of Covid-19 regulations.
Emma Phasey, the council’s commercial premises manager, applied for the licence, held by Stefan Gega, to be revoked, as the authority had “exhausted all other avenues” to resolve the breaches.
Speaking during a meeting of the licensing committee on Thursday, neighbour David Morgan said the restaurant had been “acting like a nightclub” for more than a year. The loud music was not only played on Friday and Saturday night, but also on Sundays and weekdays, he added.
“It makes the walls throb, it is so loud, the music,” Mr Morgan told councillors. “One morning it went on until 8am on a Monday morning.
“I was going to work at that time. I did not get any sleep – I was calling the police, making notes of what was going on. The total disregard for the residents… is absolutely appalling.”
The licence review was backed by the police. Licensing constable PC Vicky Wilcox said in the Met Police’s representation it seemed clear the licensee had “no regard for anyone”, as he caused “an enormous disturbance to his neighbours” and had “no regard for the safety of people in his premises, given the lack of measures that are meant to be in place to reduce the spread of Covid”.
The licence holder did not make a statement during the committee meeting.
The council confirmed that after considering the evidence, the committee decided to revoke the premises licence. A full decision will be published within five working days of the meeting.
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