Licence to serve booze, stage dances and music

THE Zoroastrian Centre for Europe - the continental headquarters of the ancient Persian faith - has applied for a licence to serve booze, stage dances and play music.
But an immediate neighbour of the cinema-turned-place of worship in Alexandra Avenue, South Harrow, said he is worried the extra "noise and disturbance would be impossible to live with".

Jeffery Poonawala, whose family includes two children and a grandmother, wrote to councillors: "Already we are experiencing disturbance during function nights with severe parking restrictions and loud music which can be heard through our adjoining walls late up to midnight.
"Obviously, with young children sleeping next door, this is causing severely nuisance already, and if you allow further extension to the time and days, we would not be able to endure the noise and disturbance thereby disturbing the children's sleep and effecting their schooling.
"I have complained once recently about the loud noise especially passed the 11pm time and the council patrol came straight away to stop the disturbance.
"I fear that if the application was granted, it would be impossible to live with serious disturbance."
The Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE) is asking for permission from Harrow Council for:
n live music Monday to Sunday (11am to 1am)
n recorded music Monday to Sunday (11am to 1am)
n performance of dance Monday to Sunday (11am to 1am)
n dancing Monday to Sunday (11am to 1am)
n late night refreshment Monday to Sunday (11pm to 1am)
n supply of alcohol Monday to Sunday (11am to 1am)
n opening hours Monday to Sunday (9am to 1am)
The trust's application said: "Alcohol is served in moderation only as a social need, either before or during a meal.
"Occasionally we may have a live band for entertainment purposes which would be amplified. Could be on any day of the week."
Dance performances would be "very occasional" and "all activity is supervised by at least two responsible members of the ZTFE".
"Our premises is on an island site with hardly any residential neighbours. Having previously been a cinema, the hall is well soundproofed."
But the council's own environmental health team pointed out: "The applicant has failed to show how they are planning to control the level of live and recorded music as applied for."
The team therefore asked for a condition to be imposed on the licence to force the ZCFE to monitor the noise and keep it at a reasonable volume.
Harrow Council's licensing panel will consider the application on Monday, October 19 at a meeting at Harrow Civic Centre, Station Road, Harrow.