East Sheen pizza takeaway wishing to open until 4am on weekends has licence granted but for reduced hours after community backlash.

The Richmond Council Licensing Sub-Committee decided to allow Ak Pizza London, better known as Caprinos Pizza, to operate under reduced hours from Monday to Sunday between 11am and 12am every day, with deliveries stopping after 11pm.

After the consultation period, the applicant, Afnan Khan, amended the application and sought permission for the provision of late-night refreshment from 11pm until 1am Monday to Thursday and 11pm until 3am Friday to Sunday.

However, his original application proposed late-night refreshment to 3am Monday to Thursday and until 4am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Khan explained to the licensing sub-committee on Thursday, 13 November, that the focus of the takeaway was to sell pizzas, not alcohol, despite some residents' concerns.

"The purpose of the licence is to allow the business to continue delivering pizzas late in the evening to meet customer demand, especially for shift workers and local students," said Khan.

Khan also told councillors that after 11pm the front door would be closed to the public and delivery drivers would access the premises through the back entrance, which can be accessed from an alleyway on Paynesfield Avenue.

Caprinos Pizza is located on 160 Upper Richmond Road (credit: East Sheen Village).

One local resident, Sian Lucas, argued that if the application was granted it would create a "slippery slope" for similar businesses and that Khan would not meet licensing conditions.

Lucas said: "We're worried because this is up and down our alleyway and we're worried about the noise and problems.

"I have got MS [Multiple Sclerosis] and it's just going to cause many problems having bikes toing and froing all night and I need my sleep."

Another resident, Julie Pender, told the committee that she has a family member with a disability which increases the significance of noise and sleep considerations.

Some residents raised concerns about the potential noise coming from the back alley which connects Caprinos PIzza to Paynesfield Avenue if hours were extended (credit: Google Maps).

She shares the alleyway with the back of Caprinos and asked Khan how he would reassure a limit to noise, to which Khan replied: "We use only electric mopeds and the back gate, which I believe is a bit noisy when you lock it, can be sorted out for a slow stopper.

He added: "Our staff can be fully trained to make sure there's no noise coming from the outside alleyway."

In her representations, Pender reiterated her concerns with the application, saying she has "fear for the safety of the neighbourhood" if it were to be approved.

Pender said the potential late-night noise from the pizza shop and delivery drivers would "trigger" her disabled daughter during the night-time, creating difficulties for the family.

"I am really concerned from a neighbourhood noise point of view, disruption and traffic and as a next-door resident, it is particularly going to be a brunt on me and my family," said Pender.

A third resident, David Morgenstern, said he was "grateful" that the hours being asked for had been reduced but that he still had concerns about the increased hours.

He said that the area where the pizza takeaway is located is a crime hotspot with 75 recorded crimes over the previous year.

The Met Police's Licensing Officer, Sergeant Andrew Lee, carried out the consultation on the premises and objected to the plans unless the operating hours were reduced.

Sergeant Lee said that the applicant failed to show specific conditions that would help reduce negative impact or measures to prevent crime and disorder or noise or nuisance.

This stance is shared by Twickenham Met Police Licensing Officer, Joel Clewett, who in a letter said: "The terminal hour for the licensable activity applied for does not give consideration to the residential location of the venue and likely disturbance that could be caused in the middle of the night.

"I have consulted with the local policing team for the area, who are concerned regarding the establishment operating into the early hours of the morning, crime/ASB/nuisance that it could likely attract."

Sergeant Lee also informed the committee that Khan ran a trial outside of the permitted operating hours and that he has "no confidence" in him following the licensing conditions.

The applicant changed the times for when he wants to operate but Sergeant Lee believes that antisocial behaviour and crime would increase if the licence application were granted.

The Richmond Council Licensing Sub-Committee meeting on 13 November (credit: Richmond Council).

In her representation, Cllr Julia Cambridge explained she objected to the licence application as she felt there was "an overabundance of pizza" outlets in the area, with Fireaway, Domino's and more within close proximity.

She said: "Is the applicant expanding his business to serve local need or merely to fight for a place in a saturated market."

She continued: "People are used to late night venues but families and young people who live above the shops in the high street, it gets to a time when they just want peace and quiet and a decrease from any anti-social behaviour threats.

"This may not be a place selling alcohol but it will attract those who have consumed it and want a low cost takeaway.

"The potential for disorder even at current hours of 11am to 11pm was illustrated some time ago when a police incident occurred and spilled out onto the back alley leading to Paynesfield Avenue.

"If hours are extended it would lead to more of this, more loitering, especially in areas like the bench at the end of East Sheen Avenue.

"It will lead to noise disturbances exacerbated by the quiet streets at that time of night when noise carries and will lead to increased littering."

In response to the alleged incident which Cllr Cambridge referred to, according to Khan it occurred further up the road on Upper Richmond Road, and his business would be using e-mopeds and not e-bikes, which are leased by an insured company.

Morgenstern closed by saying that he feels the hours should not be extended as even the police do not agree with the application.

Cllr Cambridge closed by saying that residents were "totally blindsided" by the application in regard to its delivery drivers operating from its back alley on Paynesfield Avenue, which affects other residents.

To watch the full licensing sub-committee from 13 November click here.

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