Mystery Restaurant Seeks to Expand Live Music Provision |
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Says confining performances to basement would be disability discrimination
August 25, 2024 The new restaurant venue on Chiswick High Road is seeking permission to expand its provision of live music. The establishment which has taken over the former premises of Perfect Pizza and Republic Indian restaurant has still to disclose what type of operation will be opened. Permission was secured recently for an alcohol licence and live music to be played until midnight from Sunday to Thursday and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays at 299 and 303 Chiswick High Road. The application by KSMV Properties Ltd was opposed by one local resident and local ward councillor Joanna Biddolph but not the police or licensing authorities. Concerns have been raised that the intention is to open a night club, but this has been vehemently denied by the applicant’s agent who says that the late licence and permission to play music is being sought to allow for occasional pre-booked events at a restaurant. The original licence confined the playing of live music to the basement but now the applicant wants to get a variation to the licence allowing it to be played on the ground floor. In its application is says that the variation is sought ‘after extensive negotiation with Hounslow Building Control’. It is stated that council officers indicated that extending live music to the ground floor would be a way of not discriminating against disabled customers. The combined capacity of the two floors would allow the venue to host around 200 people. At the time of the earlier application, the applicant’s agent had written to a resident objecting reassuring them that noise would not be heard in the area due to it being confined to the basement. A Sound Insulation Report is presented with the application which the applicant says that the requirements to ensure the Prevention of Public Nuisance Objective have been met. The report concludes that the sound insulation is compliant with Building Regulations Part E, which is the section in building regulations that lays out the requirements for soundproofing in domestic and commercial properties, has been met between floors in the building. KSMV Properties Ltd is owned by Shahid and Shamin Hirji and they have owned 303 Chiswick High Road since 1986 buying 301 a few years later. Number 299 was acquired 5 years ago and, up until now, they have rented out the units. Mr Hirji told the earlier Licensing Panel meeting that he hoped to launch the new restaurant in September or October but currently there is no indication at the site as to what type of food will be served. Previously he has operated Ocrhe Lounge from 301-303 Chiswick High Road which offered both Lebanese and Indian foods at various times. The last date for representations on the application is 18 September. They should be sent to licensing@hounslow.gov.uk.
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