A shisha lounge and restaurant has won the right to sell alcohol, despite the concerns of a local councillor.

Ayra Lounge in Chingford Mount Road, Chingford, may now sell alcohol from 12pm until 10.30pm every day of the week, but only to customers ordering food.

A representative for the business told councillors last week it wanted to sell cocktails “for people to take pictures of” to provide “a more rounded experience” for its customers.

At a licensing meeting on June 25, ward councillor John Moss (Con, Larkswood) said he feared drunk customers would “intimidate” residents, citing problems caused by a nearby business.

He added: “We should not be encouraging drinking alcohol from early in the morning. This is a neighbourhood parade, not a town centre.”

Read more: Chingford chicken shop given worst possible hygiene rating by council inspectors

Ayra Lounge originally requested a licence to sell alcohol from 10am, with representative Ruben Osie arguing that “you could walk into an off-licence and purchase alcohol at these times”.

However, Mr Osie told councillors the business was happy to accept reduced hours. The committee also imposed a condition that customers cannot have alcoholic drinks outside.

While Arya Lounge has previously sold desserts, Mr Osie said it plans to start serving Greek and Turkish-inspired cuisine, cooked by the owner’s brother, who was “a chef in the West End”.

The changes to the business’s licence will also allow it to open until 1am on Christmas and New Year’s Eve and to serve alcohol until 12.30am on these holidays.

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