“It has been happening most weekends for the past year"
Residents living near one of Britain’s biggest Asian wedding venues say revving supercars, fireworks and loud ceremonial drums have made their lives “hell”.
The Monal by Jalwa in West Yorkshire opened in June 2025 and can host extravagant weddings for up to 800 guests.
However, homeowners living near the building say the venue’s events have brought persistent noise and disruption to the area.
The building was previously home to the Aakash restaurant. The restaurant closed in November 2022 before the property was transformed into a wedding venue.
Residents say the problems are particularly noticeable between May and September, when there can be up to three weddings a day.
They claim events regularly continue beyond the 11 pm curfew, while guests arrive in fleets of luxury cars including Lamborghinis, Bentleys, Porsches and Ferraris.
Some residents say guests rev their engines and beep their horns for up to three hours before entering the venue.
It is also reported that guests set off coloured flares, with residents claiming the resulting smoke can spread into the surrounding area and sometimes their homes.
Tim Miller has complained to Kirklees Council three times and said he and his wife now use their caravan in Bridlington more frequently to escape the noise.
He said: “We are the lucky ones who can escape – I feel for those who can’t.”
Meanwhile, Alina Leipina said the situation has affected her family, particularly when fireworks are set off while her son is sleeping.
She said: “I hate it. I wasn’t aware of the plans to convert it into a wedding venue, so it came as a shock to me and my family.
“When the fireworks go off at night when my son is asleep, sometimes they make him cry out of fear.
“It has been happening most weekends for the past year, but has gotten worse now it is summer.”
Another resident compared the experience to living next to a “Formula 1 track”.
Locals also claim that large groups of drunken wedding guests sometimes throw plastic cups and beer bottles into their gardens.
Signs have since been put up around the venue warning visitors not to rev their engines, but residents say the measures have made little difference.
The building dates back to the 1850s and originally served as a Congregational and later United Reformed church.
It closed in 1991 before falling into disrepair. The Victorian chapel was restored in 2001 following a £1.75 million project led by local businessman Mohammed Iqbal Tabassum.
It subsequently became the Aakash restaurant before being sold in 2022 and later converted into The Monal by Jalwa.
The conversion was overseen by entrepreneur Akbar Ali alongside his father, Imran Ali, who are co-founders of the company.
According to Akbar Ali, the building was transformed over five months early in 2025, with its first wedding taking place in June.
Kirklees Council’s planning portal shows two successful applications were submitted in 2023 and 2025 for internal and external renovations.
Spen Valley Civic Society commented on one application, asking that any “firework celebrations will be kept to a minimum, to protect the amenity of local residents”.
The venue now features a lavish “Bollywood bling” interior with more than 100 chandeliers, alongside marble tables and flooring.
Its outdoor areas include terraces with fountains, gardens and extensive lighting.
Labour MP for Spen Valley Kim Leadbeater visited the venue in April after concerns were raised by local homeowners.
She subsequently posted about the visit on Facebook, but some residents criticised the post, describing it as an “advert” for the business that failed to address their concerns or lead to “proper action”.
Earlier in August 2026, Leadbeater urged residents to submit complaints and evidence relating to fireworks and revving cars to Kirklees Council.
She also advised residents to report antisocial behaviour to West Yorkshire Police.
Kirklees Council said it is “aware of ongoing concerns regarding noise” and is working with West Yorkshire Police, other agencies and the venue to find a “suitable resolution”.
Councillor Pip Harvey, Kirklees Council Cabinet Member for Place, Culture and Volunteering, said:
“There is already an 11 pm curfew in place, and recent investigations found no evidence that reports of fireworks are linked to, or being set off by the venue itself.”
The council also said it is working with West Yorkshire Police to “address concerns relating to nuisance parking”.
