Objections Raised to Grove Park 'Night Club'

'Sexy and Swarve' events at Reef Lounge causing disturbance

A number of residents in the Grove Park area of Chiswick are hoping to force a review of the licensed hours of a local bar restaurant.

An objection has been lodged with Hounslow's Licensing department by Simon Dismore who is unhappy with the level of noise at the Reef Lounge on Station Parade. As Reef Restaurant it was granted authorisation to play amplified music and dance from 20:00 to 01:30 on Fridays & Saturdays. This has allowed them to hold a number of late night music and dance events branded 'Sexy and Swarve' and Rumba Latin parties.

The complainant first alerted to the problem on the 28th July when they were disturbed by music at 11.45pm. They told staff that they were not licensed to play music that late but were shown a copy of the license that enabled them to do so. A phone call to Hounslow Council the following Monday confirmed the licence was genuine but they had received no notification of the application even though they lived just 25 metres away and they had seen no notice posted on the premises.

A review has been requested because it is believed that this is not an appropriate location for amplified music and that the Council's licensing team failed to publicise the initial application correctly. It is claimed that because there was a lack of publicity there were no objections and therefore the licensing panel did not have an opportunity to assess the application properly. Also residents say by charging entrance fees the Reef Lounge is operating as a night club which would require explicit planning consent. They also say that the licensee has already caused noise nuisance by operating the outside area well beyond the permitted hours, and other nuisances.

Reef currently have a notice in their window saying their licence is up for review due to complaints.

When we spoke to a member of staff we were told they had to cancel their last event because of the complaints and the manager was trying to work out a compromise.

September 9, 2012