The Triangle Romford backlash over 'late-night noise'

The Triangle is set to have its premises licence application reviewed by Havering Council at a meeting on Friday (June 5) after 32 objections were lodged against it.

The new venue in North Street, which replaced Neyzen Restaurant, is hoping to sell alcohol until 11pm Sunday to Thursday, until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and throughout December, and until 1am on bank holidays.

Its opening hours and time playing recorded music are proposed to match up with this, while live music is planned until 11am each day.

But residents and councillors who objected to this claimed the venue is "already a significant source of public nuisance", with "persistent late-night noise" such as shouting and music keeping neighbours up.

One resident said: "I am an elderly resident living close to The Triangle on North Street with my elderly wife and our dog.

"Over a prolonged period, we have witnessed repeated incidents of anti-social behaviour associated with the venue.

"This has included shouting, swearing, aggressive behaviour, disorder and large groups gathering outside late into the evening and early hours of the morning.

"The repeated late-night disturbance has caused stress, exhaustion and anxiety for both myself and my wife."

A 10-year-old resident even wrote a letter of objection, saying the noise from The Triangle is making them feel "upset, scared and tired".

They said: "Sometimes people argue and fight in the street.

"Cars arrive very late at night making lots of noise with loud music, revving engines and slamming doors.

"Sometimes I wake up during the night because of all the noise and then I feel very tired at school the next day.

"I have also seen fireworks and flares outside near houses which frightened me."

Anam Hussain, who applied for the new licence, responded to residents' representations, clarifying that The Triangle is not related to the previous restaurant Neyzen "in any way".

Anam said: "The Triangle is under entirely new management.

"We are committed to being responsible operators and good neighbours.

"We hope to demonstrate through consistent, responsible operation that The Triangle can be a positive part of the local community."

Neyzen had its premises licence revoked in March after Home Office immigration officers identified illegal working at the site, discovering a shed at the back of the building with sleeping arrangements in.

Officers called this a "clear sign of labour exploitation and suspicion of modern-day slavery".

Leaseholder and previous premises licence holder for the venue Badrul Haque said that he terminated the sublease as soon as he became aware of the working conditions, and has since sublet the property to new management.

But, a report published ahead of the licensing sub-committee hearing said that, as Mr Haque remains the leaseholder, he "retains a measure of control over the premises' operation as a restaurant".

In response to this, Mr Haque said: "I, Mr Badrul Haque, am the current leaseholder of the premises at 290 North Street.

"I have no interest or involvement in the current restaurant, The Triangle, as the property is rented to NAME 04 Limited, who is trading as The Triangle."

The council's licensing sub-committee will make a decision on the restaurant at the hearing at 10.30am tomorrow (June 5).

Anam Hussain has been contacted for further comment.