A controversial new venue backed by Premier League stars has been granted a licence, but will not be staying open as late as owners hoped.
La Sala in Chigwell Road, Woodford Green, which counts Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling among its investors, applied to stay open until 1.30am at weekends and 12.30am every other day.
However owners of the venue, who insisted it would operate largely as a restaurant, faced opposition from neighbours, who warned that previous occupiers of the building had failed to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour.
The licensing sub-committee considering the licence application reconvened at Ilford Town Hall yesterday after the decision was deferred on August 18.
The venue was granted permission to stay open until 11.30pm on weeknights, midnight on Friday and Saturday, and 10.30pm on Sundays.
As a condition, a 6ft glass panel must be placed over the roof terrace facing Chigwell Road to ensure privacy.
Conservative group leader councillor Paul Canal, of Bridge Ward, opposed the application.
Reacting to the decision, he said: "Residents were determined not to risk a repeat of Deuce’s reign of terror and have succeeded in preventing La Sala having nightclub hours."
The owners of a La Sala venue in Marbella are currently locked in a dispute with neighbours over alleged noise disturbance.
For more on this story see this week's Guardian - out Thursday
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