Police object to Oldbury restaurant’s late-night licence bid over noise concerns
Police have objected to a plan to extend the opening hours of a restaurant and shisha lounge in Oldbury.
Italian restaurant and shisha bar Liam’s Lounge in Causeway Green Road, Oldbury, has applied to Sandwell Council to open until 2.30am every day.
West Midlands Police and Sandwell Council’s environmental health department have both come out against the move over the potential to cause disruption for neighbours.
The region’s police force said the restaurant, located in a row of shops off the busy Wolverhampton Road would add to noise problems for those living in the flats above and homes opposite.
The current licence was granted in March 2024 which allowed for the restaurant and shisha lounge to open until 12.30am and 2am on New Year’s Eve.
The proposals would see the opening hours extended permanently to 2.30am every day. Alcohol could be served until 2am.
The application also asks for permission to open until 3.30am on New Year’s Eve.
West Midlands Police said the early hours licence was akin to a late-night bar rather than a restaurant.
“The premises are situated in a small row of shops in a mainly residential area,” the force said in its objection.
“West Midlands Police is aware there have been noise complaints from residents about the current operation. The hours applied for are late for the locality and cause concern as to how such late hours will impact on the locality.
“A premises open until the early hours of the morning in a mainly residential area is an obvious concern and the current licence and the enclosed application provides very few reassurances as to how this will be managed.
“The later hours and activities applied for appear to be more in line with a late night bar as opposed to a restaurant with an ancillary bar.”
Four noise complaints have been made against Liam’s Lounge according to Sandwell Council’s environmental health department which also raised concerns about the plan.
The objection said: “The premises is located in a block of shops with flats above and is located very near to other residential properties.
“Extending the hours to 2am is very likely to further increase disturbance from music, customers, and vehicle noise, with people probably not leaving the area until around 2:30am.”
