Residents have objected to plans to open an Ottolenghi in Richmond over concerns about noise and anti-social behaviour. 

An application was submitted to Richmond Council in December for the new restaurant on Hill Street to sell alcohol and play live music. 

But with the council's licensing committee due to consider the application on Monday (January 29), a report due to be discussed by councillors shows 15 objections have been lodged by locals. 

One objector, Sean Chapman, wrote: "I wish to protest in the strongest possible terms over any potential late licence being granted to Ottolenghi at the Hill Rise location. 

"This restaurant will be situated directly beneath residential properties and among other densely packed residences.  

"The application is, quite clearly, in direct contravention of the council's own 2005 Cumulative Impact Policy document.  

"Hill Rise is now designated by Met Police, since summer 2023, a trouble Hot Spot.  

"The impact on all local residents of a new, large, licensed premises emptying at midnight during weekends and at 11:30 during the week is, given the evidence of ASB and consistent Nuisance in the area submitted by local residents over the last year to licensing, completely unacceptable".

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Other residents have echoed his concerns with many references to concerns about anti-social behaviour 'in the vicinity of VIVA nightclub' which is across the street from the proposed Ottolenghi location. 

VIVA nightclub was at the centre of the investigation into the murder of Reece Newcombe and residents are concerned about the area being a 'trouble hotspot', with objectors explaining that there is often 'fighting throughout Friday and Saturday night and the early hours of the morning.' 

Another objector said: "We are currently dealing with a high level of violence, noise pollution, significant litter and street smoking at/around the residences of 40-50 Hill Street, which is above 36-38 Hill Street.  

"Permitting the sale of alcohol on and off the premises Friday to Saturday until 00:00 and Monday to Thursday until 23:30 is expected to contribute to an increase in this violence. 

"This noise will become an issue after closing where patrons will congregate in the streets, and without security on the door, similar to the nightclub, this will result in noise and litter around the front door to my property.  

"In addition, there is limited soundproofing within the building, which will result in significant noise travelling from within the busy restaurant into the flats above." 

Objectors also express concern that police have said they are unable to regularly provide cover in this area at those times. 

The Richmond Society has also objected to the licence saying Ottolenghi must show there will be no negative impact on the local area. 

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Since the objections have been submitted the applicant has made some amendments to the application. 

These include:  

• Opening Hours to be pulled back to 10.30pm daily 
• Sale of Alcohol to be pulled back to 10pm daily 
• All other Licensable Activities to be withdrawn 
• The Applicant had sought flexibility in the Licence, to enable culturally appropriate forms of entertainment to take place in line with the nature of the brand; however, in order to address residents' concerns, the Applicant would rather remove this part of the Application. 

They also propose that "within the premises, other than food and drink sold for takeaway the premises shall only operate as a restaurant". 

The building is the former home of the bed showroom 'And So To Bed'. 

If approved, the licence would allow the business to serve alcohol from 10am to 11.30pm Sunday to Thursday and from 10am to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.  

The license would also allow plays, films, indoor sporting events, live music, recorded music, and performance of dance. 

The sub-licensing committee will consider the application on Monday 29 January at 7pm. 

See the full council report here. 

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