Le Rose is due to open later this year at 47 High Street
By Simon Allin, Local Democracy Reporter

An Italian restaurant due to open in High Barnet has won permission to sell alcohol until midnight during the week and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Le Rose, which plans to open later this year in 47 High Street, was granted a premises licence after agreeing to reduce the planned hours for alcohol sales following discussions with the police.

The venue, which will sell pizzas, Mediterranean-style hot food and a range of cold dishes, originally applied to sell alcohol from midday until 2am from Monday to Saturday, and until 1am on Sundays. It sparked concerns from ten neighbours who feared the hours would increase the risk of crime, noise and antisocial behaviour, disturbing the “peace and quiet” they currently enjoy.

Local police licensing officers subsequently proposed allowing alcohol sales and late-night refreshment until midnight on Sunday to Thursday and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. This was agreed by applicant Fabio Koka, along with a range of conditions including CCTV installation and a pledge to record any incidents of crime and disorder.

The application was considered by Barnet Council’s licensing subcommittee during a meeting on Friday. Nursever Er, an agent acting on behalf of the applicant, told the committee that “all reasonable steps” had been taken to comply with licensing objectives and avoid disturbing the neighbourhood.

Nursever said other businesses on the high street closed at 1am on Monday to Thursday and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, so the restaurant would not have a negative impact on the area. She added that alcohol would only be sold with food.

Under questioning from committee members, Nursever said the venue’s opening hours would be the same as the alcohol sales times.

There were no objectors present at the meeting. After discussing the application in private, the committee resolved to grant the premises licence with the amended hours and conditions agreed between the applicant and the police.

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