A Romford takeaway's bid to extend its opening hours until 2 AM has met with resistance from the police and Havering Council, who fear increased crime, disorder, and public nuisance.
The Licensing Sub-Committee convened on Thursday, 24 July 2025, to review the application by Geturkish LTD, located at 8 Station Road, Romford, RM2 6DA. The takeaway sought permission to operate from 11:00 to 02:00 seven days a week, offering late-night refreshment in the form of hot food and non-alcoholic beverages.
However, the Metropolitan Police, Havering Licensing Authority, and Environmental Health raised objections, citing concerns over public safety and potential disturbances to nearby residents.
PC Chris Stockman of the East Area Licensing Team, Romford Police Station, voiced the police's apprehension that allowing the takeaway to operate until 2 AM could lead to a rise in crime and anti-social behaviour. He noted the location's proximity to a residential area and the potential for issues with alcohol-fuelled customers
arriving from the nearby Gidea Park station.
The Havering Licensing Authority echoed these concerns, pointing out that the requested hours fall outside the guideline hours stipulated in Havering's licensing policy. The authority's policy typically permits late-night refreshment until midnight from Sunday to Thursday and 1 AM on Friday and Saturday. Paul Jones, Public Protection Officer for the London Borough of Havering, stated that the 2 AM terminal hour was a problem, and that the authority would be happy to support an application within policy hours.
Further complicating matters, the Licensing Authority highlighted a discrepancy between the requested hours and the premises' existing planning permission, which restricts operating hours to 11 PM. The authority also questioned the applicant's delivery practices, noting that while the application proposed restricting deliveries to daytime hours, the premises' online presence indicated deliveries were being made until 3:30 AM. Should Geturkish LTD continue deliveries until 3:30 AM, it would constitute an offence contrary to s.136 of the Licensing Act 2003, with each order of hot food supplied after 23:00 considered a separate offence.
Environmental Health also raised concerns about potential noise and disturbance from the Geturkish premises. Mike Richardson, Team Leader, Environmental Health (Environmental Protection), stated that any disturbance would be assessed against the background noise level, considering the requirements of BS4142. He proposed several conditions to be attached to the operating schedule to mitigate these concerns, including:
- Supplier deliveries restricted to between 08:00 and 18:30 Monday to Saturday, with no deliveries on Sundays or bank holidays.
- Staff training to minimise noise, avoid idling engines, and manage waste quietly.
- Preventing delivery drivers from loitering near the premises.
Despite the applicant's attempts to address these concerns, the responsible authorities remained unconvinced that extending the opening hours until 2 AM would not cause a public nuisance.
During the meeting, Councillor Jane Keane, the licensing chair, clarified the procedures for the hearing, ensuring that the applicant had the opportunity to present their case and respond to the objections raised. The applicant, Ruhul Amin, director and founder of Geturkish, argued that there was a demand for late-night refreshment in the area, citing the presence of the nearby train station and taxi office. He also highlighted the steps taken to mitigate noise and odour, such as the installation of soundproof walls and advanced extraction systems.
Ultimately, the sub-committee decided to grant the application, but with reduced hours. The details of the decision will be notified to the applicant as soon as possible, and they will have the opportunity to appeal to the magistrates court within 21 days of the notification.
