A restaurant and shisha lounge in West London has been granted permission to extend its opening times until the early hours of the morning. The Ealing Council Licensing Sub-Committee voted on Tuesday (January 14) to allow the North Acton venue to operate and serve refreshments later, despite an objection from the Met Police.

Al Shorfa is on St Leonards Road and currently operates between 11am and 2am on Friday and Saturday, and between 11am and 1am Sunday through Thursday. However, the venue will now open until 4am Friday and Saturday nights, and until 2am Sunday-Thursday.

The venue can host a capacity of 80 diners and occasionally hosts parties. The committee also granted permission to play live music until 1.30am between Sunday and Thursday, and until 3.30am on Friday and Saturday.

Alongside the extended opening hours, Al Shorfa will now be able to serve alcohol until 1.30am on Friday and Saturday, and 12.30am on all other days. However, the Metropolitan Police raised concerns that the restaurant would serve alcohol beyond these hours.

In a written representation to the committee PC Vickie Hewison said: "The premises was only granted a premise licence in July this year and is operating outside of their hours, showing complete disregard for the hours and conditions that are on their current licence. At this time, the police have no confidence that the management of the premises will be able to operate, whilst promoting the licensing objectives."

The Metropolitan Police did not send a representative to the hearing. Yusuf Alhani, legal representation for the restaurant, said: "Their [the police] objections are built on the observations of noise nuisance team… there hasn't been any police involvement prior, or really at all since the premises started operating the licence."

The council's noise nuisance team objected to the application because 'officers observed unlicensed and excessively loud amplified music at the premises on two occasions' between June 2024 and November 2024.

Mr Samaroo, the applicant's agent, claimed the premises had not been informed of these breaches, describing the timing of the revelation as 'unfair'. He said: "They have done visits and it has never been mentioned. That's why I said… it was very surprising and unfair for these things to be brought up during the application period.. it is very unfair for us to be ambushed about things we don't know anything about."

Mr Samaroo went on to ask the committee not to take the complaints into consideration, however this was dismissed. A council officer explained that Mr Crook, a noise nuisance officer, was within his right to bring new relevant information as there are no rules around evidence at these hearings.

Mr Crook went on to say a letter was sent to the owner, Mr Ahmed, regarding complaints, however admitted one complaint had not been raised because it was only received the day before the hearing on Monday (January 13).

Committee Chair Councillor Munir Ahmed said: "The Licensing Sub-Committee were confident in Mr Ahmed's ability to continue running a well managed restaurant and prevent noise and public nuisance from affecting nearby buildings."