A Turkish restaurant and shisha lounge reported to have blocked council officers from inspecting the premises will have its licence reviewed after noise complaints.
Vu Lounge, which opened at Bushey Country Club in October 2019, is being monitored by Hertsmere Borough Council as there are concerns it is causing a “nuisance” to members of the public.
A Hertsmere Borough Council licensing sub-committee report notes that they have been told of noise nuisance, drug dealing, fighting and car related anti-social behaviour from the car park.
There have been 13 noise complaints since May 2021.
The agenda document reads: “Undercover police investigations reported to the council concluded that the individuals responsible for much of this activity were young people from Bushey and not customers of the Vu Lounge.”
It also explains that the car park is the responsibility of the council to manage, rather than the lounge.
But other complaints logged included multiple reports that it breached lockdown rules in 2020 by opening, with loud music coming from the area.
There were also several complaints of loud noise logged from 2019 to 2022.
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In the application to review the licence, the council’s health officer said: “On more than one occasions officers have been prevented from accessing the premises when attending to inspect whilst the premises were trading.
“Officers believe this to be due to the premises and its management knowing that it was in breach of certain legislation and undermines the crime and disorder objective.”
A licensing sub-committee meeting will take place on September 7 to discuss what measures should be taken.
Anyone from the public is welcome to attend, but only those who responded during the statutory 28-day consultation period can speak.
Hertfordshire Constabulary was approached for further information about the undercover investigation that took place at the lounge.
The council was also asked for further details about the licensing concerns.
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