Beckenham restaurant wins licence battle after noise complaints

Pierluigi’s, an Italian restaurant on Beckenham High Street, has overturned Bromley Council’s decision to revoke its premises licence. The ruling, issued by Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on 1 July, followed an appeal against earlier restrictions imposed by the council. The court also annulled a two-month suspension and a ban on recorded music that had been set to take effect in March 2025.

The dispute centres on noise complaints from residents. Bromley Council presented evidence from Matt McIlroy, a noise and nuisance officer for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. McIlroy visited the area on 18 and 25 July and reported that the music from Pierluigi’s caused bed frames, floors, and kitchen utensils to vibrate in nearby homes. MyLondon reported his statement that the noise levels were 'amongst the worst I have ever experienced in my time investigating statutory noise nuisance complaints'.

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Residents affected by vibrations and bass

McIlroy’s assessment included observations made inside residential properties. He stated that he could identify specific tracks, including songs by Beyoncé and Chaka Khan, while standing in neighbours’ homes. In one instance, he noted that the bass from Drake’s 'One Dance' was so loud that it would make sleep impossible. MyLondon published his account, which described the vibrations as excessive and unreasonable.

The court’s decision to uphold Pierluigi’s appeal came with conditions. The restaurant must now install acoustic curtains on its windows and lower them by 10:30pm on weekends or whenever a DJ performs. Management must also use 'best endeavours' to prevent illegal parking outside the venue, and CCTV must cover all internal and external areas. These measures were outlined in the ruling, as reported by MyLondon.

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Restaurant seeks later weekend closing

Despite the court victory, Pierluigi’s faces further scrutiny over its opening hours. The restaurant has applied for a Temporary Event Notice to extend its weekend closing time from 12:30am to 1:30am for two upcoming weekends. Bromley Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee will consider the application on 30 July.

Bromley Council’s environmental health team has objected to the request. MyLondon reported that the team cited ongoing noise complaints and concerns over the number of patrons, with the application seeking authorisation for up to 499 people. The council had previously attempted to revoke the licence after police reported that Pierluigi’s failed to provide CCTV footage of an alleged theft, despite repeated requests.

“We are delighted that the court carefully examined all the evidence and reached a fair and balanced decision. Pierluigi’s has served the Beckenham community for more than 30 years and has consistently sought to work constructively with the authorities while investing in measures to address concerns.”

Pierluigi’s spokesperson

A spokesperson for Pierluigi’s told MyLondon that the restaurant would apply to recover its legal costs. They emphasised the restaurant’s long-standing presence in Beckenham and its commitment to addressing the council’s concerns. The spokesperson added that Pierluigi’s would continue to welcome customers and contribute to the local economy.

What happens next

Bromley Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee will decide on Pierluigi’s application for extended weekend hours on 30 July. The outcome will determine whether the restaurant can stay open until 1:30am for the next two weekends. It is unclear whether the council will challenge the court’s decision further or accept the conditions imposed.

Residents who have complained about noise levels have not publicly stated whether they will take further action. The council has not indicated if it will pursue additional measures beyond the conditions set by the court.