New city Cambridge bar cannot sell alcohol due to noise

Councillors raised concerns about the future use of the Sunset Lounge in Cambridge

A new restaurant in Cambridge cannot serve alcohol after neighbours complained about noise levels.

The Sunset Lounge had applied to the council to sell alcohol Monday to Saturday from 11:00 GMT to 23:00.

Applicant Valmir Dautaj said there would also be "top quality" Mediterranean food in the "shisha lounge and bar".

However, Cambridge City Council ruled "adequate measures to reduce noise" had not been taken.

At a licensing meeting on Monday, councillors also heard the restaurant in Cherry Hinton Road was subject to a planning enforcement notice.

An extension at the back did not have planning permission to run a shisha lounge.

Graham Goodwill, who represented Mr Dautaj, claimed the extension was built after "wrongful information" was given by a planning officer.

He said an appeal against the notice had been submitted, and in the meantime, Mr Dautaj planned to only serve alcohol inside the building.

"The plan is for this to be a mid-range restaurant, so the clientele he is seeking are good quality customers," he added.

Councillor Anna Smith said neighbours had raised noise issues and asked what measures would be implemented to address them.

Mr Goodwill said the kitchen had been in use for 30 years and there was no need for any additional noise restrictions.

The sub-committee rejected the alcohol licence application.

The decision notice stated: "Up until now, the Sunset Lounge has been presented as a shisha bar, with amplified music and dancing in the promotional material.

"The sudden change in the narrative to a quiet family restaurant raises concerns going forward as to the actual use of the venue."

Mr Dautaj has 21 days to appeal the city council's decision.