A Liverpool city centre restaurant’s proposals to start selling alcohol have been slammed by neighbours who accuse the premises of causing problems with noise and bad smells for years.
George’s Great British Kitchen has applied to Liverpool Council for a licence that would include permission to sell alcohol from 8am to midnight.
However, in objections submitted to the council, some neighbours say vibrations from loud music at the restaurant leaves their homes shaking while there are frequent problems with odour coming from the restaurant.
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Members of the licensing and gambling sub-committee will decide on the restaurant’s proposals on Wednesday, July 7, with the owners being given a chance to make their case directly to councillors.
In an objection to the proposals, a group of residents from Chancery House, next to the restaurant, say attempts to tackle issues with loud noise and odour coming from the restaurant have had only mixed success.
Their statement said: “Since their opening in 2017 we’ve been trying to find reasonable solutions with the restaurant, the building’s management company and the freeholder to mitigate the negative impact that their operation is causing to the community of residents, however, our efforts have been thwarted by false promises and a dismissive attitude from the restaurant’s previous owners and management and a blame game between all parties.”
They go on to say that, despite the restaurant changing hands, their initial optimism about solving the problems has dissipated, with some flats being left with shaking rooms as a result of the noise.
They said music was sometimes lowered but that there were still issues with vibrations being felt in their homes.
Their statement said: “Now that the restaurant was sold we could reopen a dialogue with the new managers.
“Most of the operational issues in the alleyway were sorted but nothing was done in regards to the structural problems.
“Even if the music now is kept at a much lower level, which we deeply appreciate, we can still hear the beats and bass throughout the day, people talking and chairs and tables being moved.
“At the same time, the odours from GGBK’s kitchen gets mixed with the air supply and the smells can be felt inside some flats and at the building’s internal common areas. It is particularly bad in our bedrooms, where the windows don’t open and we rely entirely on mechanical ventilation.”
Residents also said they have issues with staff smoking in an alley close to their homes, meaning smoke drifting in through some windows.
Despite the neighbours’ concerns, no other bodies, such as the police or fire service, have objected to the plans.
George’s Great British Kitchen has been approached for comment.
