A CONTROVERSIAL bar has submitted an application for later opening hours less than a week after withdrawing similar plans in the face of opposition from the council.


Funky Mojoe in High Road, South Woodford applied for Temporary Event Notices (TENs) to stay open until 2am on four dates later this year including Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.


It withdrew an identical request on Monday, the second time it has withdrawn applications this year.


Residents, including those in Manor Court Lodge a retirement complex next door to the club, say their lives are being made miserable by late night revellers spilling into the street in the early hours.


Last week Chingford and Woodford Green MP Iain Duncan Smith urged Redbridge council to review the bar’s licence, describing it as a public nuisance.

And after the latest application Church End ward councillor, Richard Hoskins, slammed Funky Mojoe.


He said: “I have been following the saga of Mojoe applications with increasing alarm.

“These applications for additional late nights can only be opposed by the police or the Licensing Authority.

“My fear is that this constant cat and mouse submission of applications which are withdrawn before a hearing will simply wear down the only two
organisations entitled to object.

“That is the police and the Licensing Authority. If local Councillors and residents had the right to object this danger would not arise.”


And a spokesman for the Woodford Action Group, said: “This is quite cynical, irresponsible and disingenuous behaviour from a business that has no consideration for residents or their quality of life.”

The Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour (noise) Team has objected to the application  on the grounds that the proposed events will cause public nuisance to the residents who live in the vicinity.


Funky Mojoe were not available for comment.


The club has just launched its new website where it boasts: “Part of the South Woodford heritage dating back to the 1800s, our venue is a much loved piece of the community.”

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