The Metropolitan Police and Enfield Council raised concerns about The Hart in Chase Road but the venue has agreed to implement changes in future, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter
The Hart in Chase Road, Southgate (credit Google)
A bar and restaurant in Southgate will stay open despite noise complaints and drunk and disorderly behaviour.
After Enfield Council ordered a review of The Hart, an hour-long licensing sub-committee hearing took place this week (Wednesday 8th) at Enfield Civic Centre to determine its fate.
The council reported visiting the venue at 290 Chase Road on six occasions since October 2023 and on each visit “breaches of the premises licence conditions” were observed.
The Metropolitan Police also made a representation, requesting the premises licence be revoked following “at least two arrests of patrons at the premises” last year and “a number of calls” from neighbours in relation to “noise and vehicle nuisance”.
Despite the concerns raised, the licensing sub-committee decided to modify the conditions instead of revoking The Hart’s licence. These changes include transferring the designated premises supervisor (DPS) to a more “appropriate person” and implementing more oversight.
In light of these changes, the police agreed to withdraw its representation.
Adam Vahedi will become the new DPS before the end of March. He is one of the directors of the company Your Lux Life which operates The Hart.
Committee chair Suna Hurman said: “Once Mr Vahedi has been named as the DPS on this licence the DPS is to be on the site no less than 50% of the trading hours in any calendar month, unless one month’s notice is provided in advance in writing and agreed by the licensing authority.”
Representations in support of The Hart at the review hearing were heard from customers who described the venue as having a “good vibe” and “good customer service”, saying the staff cared about “safety and happiness”.
Explaining the reasons for not revoking The Hart’s licence, Cllr Hurman added: “The licensing sub-committee felt the premises licence holder had negotiated with the licensing authority a means of reducing complaints of noise in good faith to ensure the licensing objectives are being promoted.
“To this end the premises licence holder has commissioned a licensing consultant to prepare a report on the operation of the venue and noise management.”
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