A hearing is set to continue reviewing the licence of Harold Wood restaurant Array Essex, co-founded by Love Island star Kem Cetinay.
Havering Council's licensing sub-committee will be making a decision on whether or not to amend the Shepherds Hill venue's premises licence after the review was brought by councillors.
Here's what we know so far:
Hearing day one
The review hearing began at Havering Town Hall on Thursday (December 1).
One of the three councillors who applied for the review, Darren Wise, told the meeting he has received 43 complaints from residents, including about noisy “gang fights” outside the venue in August and September involving weapons and “metal bars”.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that allegations raised at the meeting included street brawls, shouting, loud music, parking on driveways, speeding sports cars, “drug use” outside and public urination.
A police statement to the committee also said there is an ongoing investigation into the stabbing of a 33-year-old man outside the venue last month.
The hearing is due to continue today (December 5) to hear arguments from Array’s legal team.
Why is the hearing happening?
They claim that "for a protracted period of time – over 18 months – the residents in a half mile radius of the Shepherds Hill premises have been continually affected by the premises’ alleged failure to promote the licensing objectives".
The councillors want closing time to be pulled back to 11pm.
The venue is now open until 12.30am on Sundays to Wednesdays and until 1.30am from Thursdays to Saturdays.
Representations backing the application were also made by nearby residents, the Met Police and council officers.
One resident said: "Many weekends nearing the end of the night at 1.30am fights, altercations, screaming and shouting wakes us up.
"In 18 months our home lives have changed dramatically due to the noise nuisance, crime and disorder.
"We are extremely anxious and sleep deprived and have become so anxious about what our weekend will pan out."
What has Array said?
A statement from the venue was released to the Recorder last month in which it said it tries "to be a good neighbour".
It added: "Our premises is principally food-led. We believe we promote the licensing objectives and provide a safe environment for people to come and have dinner at our premises."
The venue claimed there is "little or no disorder" and said it has been growing and providing "a good quality service" to customers during the last 12 months.
Array also claimed there is "no possibility" that music or customer noise can be heard from the restaurant.
They said: "We do work with our neighbours and advise our customers to leave in a way that minimises any noise or disturbance to our neighbours."
The restaurant's history
Array, which was formerly the Shepherd and Dog pub, was launched by Love Island star Mr Cetinay and business partner Nadir Gul.
According to its website, Array claims to combine "amazing cuisine with next-level entertainment".
It opened in August 2021 before the duo unveiled Bayou Lounge, a jungle-themed shisha lounge, in February.
In an interview then with the Recorder, Mr Cetinay said building the restaurant during the Covid pandemic had been a "tough process".
He added: "In the first few months there were teething problems, but we found our feet and now people know what the restaurant is, we've found our identity."
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