Turkish restaurant in Brent could lose license after complaints it is ‘run like a nightclub’

A north London Turkish restaurant could have its license revoked for multiple alleged breaches of its conditions after complaints it operates “more like a nightclub”. Police officers reported that people were allowed to smoke inside the venue, with a DJ playing loud music “regularly until 3am”, when the venue is 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 nuisance, anti-social behavior and being open beyond agreed hours since owner Gokcan Algul took over the headquarters in April. of last year.

The restaurant is part of Roe Green Park, located inside the park lodge. It was called an “absolute nuisance” by some angry locals who complained they were repeatedly woken in the early hours of the morning by the noise. A 70-year-old resident who claims to be “suffering from age-related deafness” said even they have been woken up at 3am on more than one occasion.

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Another resident said: “They play loud music in the early hours which can be heard inside my house and we are half a mile away across the park. There is also a lot of shouting and noise of people. In addition, cars park on the sidewalks. and generally the patrons have no respect for the surrounding residents”.

They added: “They are in breach of the current license (…) and will be in breach of any extension. (I’m not) sure the local lodge should operate as a night club’.

Police have also been called to the premises several times in the past 12 months, including an incident in May last year in which someone was attacked with a bottle, leaving them with a cut to the head, as they left the location. around 2 in the morning.

During some of the many police visits to the restaurant, officers raised serious concerns about the premises being in breach of its licence. They noted that the interior was “more like a nightclub” as it had loud music, neon lights on the walls and people were allowed to smoke cigarettes and hookahs.

An officer who attended a notice said: “It was clear they were open well past the agreed license closing time, with alcohol still being served and allowing people to smoke inside the unventilated premises.” Police told the council they had “little confidence” in the venue’s ability to “rectify the situation if given another chance”.

The Council’s licensing officers recommended that Mr Algul’s license be withdrawn after a number of prior warnings were not complied with. 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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