"I can see no real benefit to all who live in this area.”
An Indian takeaway owner has defended his business after a neighbour claimed his life was “regularly blighted” by noisy customers.
Jalpari of Woodley, located in Loddon Vale Shopping Centre, has asked Wokingham Borough Council to extend its opening hours and allow it to sell alcohol until 11 pm every day.
It also wants permission to play recorded music until closing.
The award-winning restaurant expanded into Unit 4 in September 2024, increasing its seating from 22 to 74.
The owner, Enamul Hoque, wants to open from 8 am to 11 pm throughout the week.
But resident Darren Mills has objected to the plans, raising concerns over noise, littering and anti-social behaviour.
Mr Mills claimed, “we are regularly blighted” by the restaurant’s customers.
He said people have smoked outside communal doors, urinated nearby, and disturbed neighbours late into the evening.
“I can see no real benefit to all who live in this area.”
He added that his “quality of life here has been diminished considerably”.
At a licensing panel on April 16, business partner Muhammed Hussein responded to the criticism.
He told councillors: “We try not to have any behaviour breach and customers leave my restaurant quietly. I try to do everything according to the law.
“I don’t want to be a bad neighbour, I want to be a good neighbour… all other neighbours around my restaurant, we have a good relation [with]. Everybody’s happy.”
Mr Hussein said extending the hours would allow more diners to enjoy the restaurant’s food without feeling rushed.
He added: “The customers coming to my restaurant, I want them to leave with a happy face mainly.”
He explained they are already turning people away due to the 10 pm closing time, which he said “doesn’t really have a good effect” on the business.
Mr Hoque has agreed on a series of measures with Thames Valley Police to support the extended licence.
These include 24-hour CCTV coverage, prominent signage and clear policies to disperse people loitering outside.
Staff would also actively discourage customers from gathering near the Indian takeaway, and signs at exits would ask people to respect neighbours and leave quietly.
None of the statutory bodies consulted, Thames Valley Police, Environmental Health, Trading Standards, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue, or the Home Office Immigration Enforcement, raised any objections.
Mr Mills did not attend the licensing hearing. A decision is expected to be published by the council soon.
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