Police noise, anti-social driving and laughing gas use in a shisha lounge car park have declined - but it must still fight to keep its licence.
Vu Lounge, located at Bushey Country Club, will face a review next Wednesday (September 7) after a series noise complaints since its opening.
While the review is mainly down to complaints about noise from the venue itself, a report to Hertsmere Borough Council's licensing sub-committee notes that anti-social behaviour has been a reoccurring problem in the car park, which is the responsibility of the council.
The report states that noise nuisance, drug dealing, fighting and car-related anti-social behaviour were reported to the council.
But Hertfordshire Constabulary says the number of incidents reported has declined this year.
A spokesperson said: “Historically police received complaints about anti-social behaviour in the car park outside Vu Lounge.
“These complaints were made two years ago and were of people congregating in cars, causing noise nuisance, taking nitrous oxide and driving in an anti-social manner.”
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Plain-clothed undercover officers have patrolled the area since the complaints were made and the force has confirmed these stemmed from young people in Bushey and not Vu Lounge customers.
The spokesperson continued: “Reports of antisocial behaviour in the car park have since reduced. Since January this year, there have been two reported incidents of nuisance vehicles.”
Even though police have not blamed the venue for the anti-social behaviour reports, the report states there have been 13 alleged noise nuisance complaints coming from the premises itself since May 2021.
According to the council, various issues were found during some officers' visits, including the management of noise and smoke free regulations.
In the application to review the licence, the council’s health officer said that officers were prevented from accessing and inspecting the venue on “more than one occasion”.
It reads: “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.”
However not all visits from the 13 allegations proved any significant issues.
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