We are very pleased to hear that the High Court has rejected the application by Funkymojoe for a judicial review of the judge’s decision in the appeal to the magistrates against the measures decided by the Council’s Licensing Committee.

The process of reducing the opening hours at Funkymojoe has been going on for years but this decision completes a process that started last year with a hearing at the Town Hall in Ilford.

Church End Councillors took part in putting the case at the hearing for a restriction of the opening hours, on behalf of many local residents who had contacted them to complain about the noise and disturbance, often late in the night, that customers of the premises were causing.

Councillor Hugh Cleaver also gave evidence at the appeal to the magistrates court and supported the decision taken by the Council and by the judges.

Hugh Cleaver welcomed the outcome of the latest hearing:

“It has taken a long time but the patience and persistence of local residents has paid off. The number of incidents that have taken place, including some that were of a serious nature, meant that the risk to the public, and the disturbance being caused to many local people, could no longer continue.

“It demonstrates that licensed premises have to take their responsibilities to their neighbours and to people living in the area as seriously as satisfying their customers.

“We will continue to support  residents who show that their lives are being blighted by the way licensed premises are being operated. Being given a licence by the Council does not mean you can walk away from the need to ensure that the customers attending your premises behave and do not cause a disturbance or danger to other people”.