Restaurant rejects police fears it will be anti-social hotspot (From Times Series)

Bombay Spice Bar and Lounge rejects fears it will be anti-social hotspot if later opening hours are approved

11:20am Thursday 14th February 2013 in News By Natalie O'Neill

Bar man Sandip Kumar at Bombay Spice Bar and Lounge

An Indian restaurant in Mill Hill will have live traditional music and dancers performing until 3am at weekends, if plans are approved tomorrow.

Bombay Spice Bar and Lounge in Watford Way wants to change its licence so it can also serve alcohol until 3am and open until 3.30am from Fridays to Sundays.

Barnet Police are unhappy about the proposal and have urged Barnet Borough Council’s licensing sub-committee not to accept the changes.

In a letter to the committee, police officer Mark Altman warned the restaurant, situated near Apex Corner, used to have the reputation of having links to class A drug dealers before it changed ownership. 

Mr Altman wrote: “There is nowhere else in Barnet borough where you can drink until this hour of the morning and it is more likely than not that these premises will become a destination venue for late-night revellers, with all the associated problems of any late-night venue.

“Anti social and alcohol related problems are more likely to be exacerbated by persons trying to gain entry to the premises after the other nearby licensed premises have closed.”

But Mohammed Munir Chughtai, who took over Bombay Spice Bar and Lounge a year and two months ago, says the restaurant attracts a civilised clientele.

The restaurant currently stays open until 1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays and until 12.30am Sundays to Thursdays.

Speaking to the Times Series Mr Chughtai said: “I’ve spent loads of money on the place and have installed CCTV. Everything is high class.

“In all my time here we have never had any problem with noise or had any complaints from our neighbours.

“The only reason we’re changing the licence is because we’d like to open a little later so we can have live Indian music and dancers while people are eating.

“We’re near to the biggest roundabout in the area – that creates more noise than our place. We create no noise at all.”

Barnet Borough Council’s licensing sub-committee will consider the application at Hendon Town Hall tomorrow.