A RESTAURANT OWNER fighting 100 of his neighbours in a bid to stay open later claims the whole fiasco has been a “misunderstanding”.

Cem Alkan has spent over a year battling Redbridge Council to let him turn South Woodford’s old Napier Arms pub into a high-end Turkish restaurant.

Determined to part ways with the site’s colourful history, which saw the previous owners ousted for hosting “sexy live pole shows” and late-night lock ins, the 31-year-old insists Lokkum is a “high quality dining experience”.

But after neighbours found out he wants to stay open until 1am Sunday to Wednesday and 2am Thursday to Saturday, over 100 objections flooded in.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Angry neighbours outside Lokkum in Woodford New Road

Chingford and Woodford Green MP Iain Duncan Smith has also weighed into the debate to slam the proposals, along with councillors Emma Best and Tom McLaren.

But Mr Alkan said: “There’s been a huge misunderstanding – Iain Duncan Smith and the councillors have misled the locals because they haven’t been given the right facts.

“They think we’re trying to be another Funky Mojoe and that’s really upsetting for us because it isn’t true.

“If we wanted to open a club, we wouldn’t have chosen to do it here.

“They won’t give us the chance to show them what we’re actually trying to do.”

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Inside Lokkum

The Edmonton-based owner claims the current licence is “restrictive” forcing the venue to close at 11.30pm Sunday to Thursday and midnight at weekends, when customers want to eat increasingly later at night.

He wants to be able to offer dinner sittings at 8pm and 10pm and a “drinking up period” of around an hour afterwards, so he does not have to “kick people out all at once”.

Ahead of today's licensing meeting at Redbridge Town Hall (June 21) he claims he has done everything in his power to try to avoid any trouble at the venue.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Inside Lokkum

Measures include stopping anyone from coming in just to drink after 11pm, closing the outdoor area at 9pm, and operating 32 CCTV cameras and an electronically-gated car park.

But the 107 objectors are unconvinced, fearing the extended licence is a pretence to open “a weekend bar or club by stealth”.

Mr Duncan Smith has branded the plans “wholly unacceptable and utterly absurd”, expressing concerns about children’s sleep being interrupted, anti-social behaviour, and litter.

Cllr Emma Best added: “It would be somewhere close to insanity to approve this application in this location.”

Neighbour Daniel Greaves agrees, fearing the plans “bear a striking resemblance to shameful tactics of the owners of Funky Mojoe, which blighted the community with anti-social behaviour and violence”.

Cllr McLaren said claims the politicians have misled residents are "blatantly untrue".

He said: "The objections have been led by residents, who have organised themselves.

"We have supported their campaign and what we believe are perfectly justified and legitimate concerns."

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Lokkum's car park will only open for booked guests 

The council’s licensing committee has also voiced concerns about police resources being taken away from problems in George Lane to monitor the venue.

But despite the overwhelming objections Mr Alkan says he “just wants fairness”.

He added: “They’ve given us a very hard time, when all we want to do is give people the comfort of dining later.

“Out of the 100 who complained only 15 or so have actually come in to see us.

“We want to work with the council and the neighbours, but we want to be treated fairly.”

Mr Alkan faces licensing officers at Redbridge Town Hall this morning. 

See www.guardian-series.co.uk later this week for the result.