The owners of Green Gate Kebabish in Barking Road want a licence to sell late-night refreshment from 11pm until 5am every day, reports Nick Clark, Local Democracy Reporter

Kebab (credit Syed Hussaini via Unsplash) — Photo by Syed Hussaini on Unsplash

A restaurant in Plaistow could be allowed to sell food until 5am if Newham Council approves its plans.

Owners of Green Gate Kebabish at 545 Barking Road want a licence to sell late-night refreshment from 11pm until 5am, seven days a week.

Four nearby residents and two takeaways have written to the council to oppose the plans, raising concerns about “late night footfall” and “antisocial behaviour”.

But owners say their restaurant has never attracted noise complaints.

Objections to restaurant owners’ application mean councillors on a licensing sub-committee are set to discuss whether to grant the licence at a meeting next week.

One nearby resident said they “strongly oppose” the application as they already suffer late night noise.

They said: “Already it feels like chaos on our street. People shouting, loud talking, rubbish left everywhere, people hanging around on the street large number of groups.

“Having anohter restaurant open late will attract more crowds. The thought of this continuing until 5am is honestly unbearable.”

Owners of two other food shops also wrote to object to the application. One, Robin Singh, said: “There are already a few food shops opened late.

“If this application is granted it will effect my business severely as we are already struggling to make ends meet.”

Tahir Munir of Papa’s Chicken in Barking Road said: “There are already enough shops opened late along this strip which is enough to serve the local area.”

In response to the objections, Green Gate Kebabish’s owners told the council their business “offers a completely different cuisine” to fast food shops.

They said: “This means we attract a different customer base and do not contribute to the same type of late-night crowd associated with fast food takeaway spots.

“Our customers generally come to: sit inside and dine quietly, not gather outside; pick up freshly cooked meals for home consumption; order food for families and shift workers needing hot meals at late hours.”

The owners added that they had never received any noise or litter complaints.

However, they said to reassure nearby residents they are willing to provide additional CCTV coverage, staff monitoring the front of the restaurant, and “any other reasonable conditions the council proposes”.

Councillors are set to consider the application next Tuesday (10th).

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.