A licensing meeting will take place this evening to decide whether a bar can retain its late-licence. 

Waltham Forest Police have called for a review of the premise licence for Loco Lounge in Station Road, Chingford, following concerns of an "unacceptable level of crime and disorder".

Police constable, Donna Wilcox, of Waltham Forest's Licensing Unit, is heading up the review, which will go to the council’s sub-committee tonight at 7pm at the Town Hall in Forest Road, Walthamstow.

The police are requesting the bar's current opening hours of 2am are restricted to midnight at weekends as PC Wilcox claims this will "reduce the likelihood of attracting the undesirables and criminal element that currently frequent the venue."

Ahead of tonight's decision, representations have been received from residents and businesses opposing and supporting a change.

The Fountain bar, located two doors away from Loco Lounge, has complained about "unbearable clientele", while resident Janet Kemble, of nearby Beresford Road, Chingford, expressed concern about noise levels.

However, many of the bars customers say they feel safe and have not witnessed any trouble, including tenant Karol Blokowski, who lives above the bar.

Local businesses based in or around Station Road, such as taxi firm Mount Cars Ltd and Chingford Golf Club, have expressed support for allowing the bar to keep its current opening hours. 

The committee meeting was initially due to meet on July 3, but was adjourned after the bar's owners requested extra time to assess documentation provided by police.   

Over the past twelve months, police have reported a series of incidents inside the bar and within the vicinity, including criminal damage, actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm, and a public order offence.