The owners of a controversial restaurant are seeking to extend its licence to allow alcohol to be served after midnight, it has emerged.
Last month, the Recorder reported La Sala Restaurant, in Chigwell Road, Woodford Green, was appealing certain conditions to the initial licence granted in August.
Now La Sala’s owners have submitted two new applications to Redbridge Council’s licensing sub-committee to allow the restaurant to serve drinks until 12.30 and remain open until 1am - an hour later than originally granted - on Fridays and Saturdays.
The second application is seeking to remodel the building’s internal layout and to create an outside terrace.
The overall capacity of the site will also be reduced from 400 people to 250, under the latest proposals.
David Lott, 56, from Marbella, leads a 500-strong resident group in Spain campaigning against La Sala’s events in his local city, where they have a restaurant venue.
“I am more than happy to help the residents of Woodford Green solve an issue,” said Mr Lott.
“Having 250 people leaving La Sala in Woodford Green each night will cause huge problems for the residents.”
Mr Lott said residents believe a restaurant would be “fantastic” for the area, but a venue “with nightclub hours” would be a problem.
A mother of two, of nearby Roding Lane North, who did not wish to be named, said she could not understand why a restaurant would want to be open until 1am.
She said: “All the residents think it is going to be more of a club, but we are going to wait until it is up and running. We are going to give it a chance.”
La Sala is due to hold a community lunch on Sunday for residents in the area.
The company declined to comment but said it had so far received 2,500 bookings for its first three months.
What are you views as residents of the new La Sala Restaurant coming to Chigwell Road, in Woodford Green? We want to hear your thoughts. Please email harry.kemble@archant.co.uk or call the newsdesk on 0208 477 3825.
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