A SHISHA bar has won its bid to play music again after residents complained about “deafening levels” of noise – but with restrictions.

Councillors on the licensing sub-committee granted Akaya Lounge – located in Slough High Street – permission to play music once again but only inside the building from 12pm – 11pm, Monday to Sunday.

This is a reduction from the applicant Mohammed Ali’s original application for noon-3am on a Friday and Saturday – but Thames Valley Police (TVP) wanted to amend that to 12pm-1am.

However, the premises are subject to planning condition beforehand which restricts trading from 11am to 11pm all week.

Other restrictions imposed on the shisha bar includes the installation of digital CCTV, the addition of two door staff wearing high visibility jackets to be employed on Friday and Saturday evening, and the outside shisha bar must not play music at any time.

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The shisha bar can only be outside due to smoking regulations – which Akaya Lounge’s outdoor area was deemed “not appropriate” to play music by an enforcement officer.

The premises will be monitored and inspected to check if the noise levels are causing a public nuisance at the nearest “noise sensitive” properties.

Residents complained to Slough Borough Council about loud music being played at ‘deafening levels’ which led to a noise abatement notice being served last Christmas Eve.

Sarah Steffano, enforcement officer who investigated the restaurant on Christmas Eve, described the scene as “extremely loud” with “lots of people screaming and shouting”.

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The council seized Akaya Lounge’s ‘loud’ speakers after receiving a warrant from Slough Magistrates’ in February 2020 after the notice was ignored by the premises’ owners.

On May 31, during lockdown, officers went to the Lounge following a noise complaint where they found ten people – including an employee – playing loud music, drinking alcohol, smoking shisha, and eating birthday cake within the premises.

Mr Ali – who was not represent at the meeting until the decision was made – and other parties will be sent a letter of the approval with conditions within five working days.

The licensing hearing took place on September 28 (Monday).