Fed-up neighbours accuse Chinese takeaway of holding illegal late-night karaoke parties

By Grainne Cuffe, local democracy reporter

Fed-up neighbours have accused a Chinese takeaway of holding late-night karaoke parties.

Residents say the Good Friends restaurant in Deptford, which has denied any wrongdoing, regularly disturbs them with “unbearable” noise.

They claim it gets so bad that they are forced to keep their windows shut to be able to hear themselves speak – even in stifling summer heat.

And on top of this, the venue has applied to Lewisham Council to extend its opening hours. It initially applied to open until 2am every night for karaoke, music, and selling booze.

But after an objection from the council, Good Friends backtracked and only asked to sell alcohol until 11pm and food until 12am.

One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said “it’s like they own the place”.

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She said: “They’re very disrespectful. You’re not supposed to have karaoke without a licence and you’re not allowed people sitting outside without a licence.

“It’s just so loud, virtually every night. When it’s really loud I have to make sure my windows are shut, even in this weather, so you can a bit of peace.

“The noise is unbearable, there’s always something going on. I like to let people live as they live but they’ve got no consideration.”

Another neighbour slammed the venue as “very unreasonable” and said “they can’t get a late licence”.

He said: “The karaoke is mainly on a Sunday, but also during the week. There’s absolutely nothing we can do because I’ve been out there and asked them to stop but they just ignore you.

“We can’t even keep out windows open because they’re so loud. When it’s hot you have to shut the windows and suffer if you want to hear yourselves. We’re just fed up.”

Good Friends denied any karaoke was taking place. The manager, who gave her name as Queenie, said: “What karaoke? There is no karaoke here. This is just Chinese food.

“We close at 11pm but finish [serving] at 10.30pm. Who can do karaoke in here? We’re here more than 20 years, people move in and complain – I don’t know why.”

A Lewisham licensing committee is set to decide on the venue’s application on September 14. Several objections from locals have been uploaded ahead of the meeting, with similar concerns.

One said: “[Good Friends] has proven itself to be untrustworthy as a neighbour by operating late night karaoke/entertainment despite not having a licence.”

The Met Police has also raised concerns that Good Friend doesn’t want to agree to all the conditions it must follow if it is to be granted the licence.

PC Simon Butler said: “I am already aware that there have been noise issues evidenced by the local authority crime enforcement and regulation (CER) team and not having conditions in place would substantially increase the possibility of more complaints being received.”

A council spokeswoman said: “We’ve received anti-social behaviour complaints relating to Good Friends takeaway. These continue to be investigated.”