Police officers at the Lebanese Grill in Leather Lane

A VIRAL takeaway has been ordered to shut its doors after residents have complained of years of restless nights, noise and nuisance.

Lebanese Grill in Leather Lane has made an impact on TikTok amassing thousands of views from influencers and young people trying out its viral shawarmas and sharing the content online.

But residents say the takeaway has been “hell” – describing cars revving up the street and playing blaring music, air pollution and overflowing rubbish strewn all over the nearby Bourne estate.

Now, the premises has been issued a closure notice for up to two weeks following a decision by the courts last week. A resident on the Bourne Estate in Ledham House who did not want to be named for fear of intimidation, said: “The estate has suffered because of Lebanese Grill. I have kids and we haven’t been able to use the playground because there is rubbish everywhere, and it’s all food trays, half-eaten bits of chicken and the takeaway bags.

“The level of noise is unbearable. Screaming, shouting, blaring music. Cars are revving all night. It’s intimidating for the people that live here. They get to shut up shop and go home, we have to deal with the aftermath day and night. I’m glad it’s shut, I hope it stays shut. It’s been hell.”

Last Tuesday the Holborn and Covent Garden Safer Neighbour­hoods Team were seen at the premises, temporarily closing it for a period of up to 48 hours following multiple reports of anti-social behaviour. While the court hearing at Highbury Magistrates Court was adjourned on June 24, the courts did agree to close the premises for two weeks. A hearing will be held on July 7 when a decision will be made which could see the premises closed for three months.

Speaking to thethis week, Zak Khan, owner of Lebanese Grill, said his staff would be greatly impacted if they close and that he hopes the magistrates will overturn the closure order. He said: “If we close our staff will be unemployed. Some have kids and families to support. The business itself will be chased for rent rates if we close so we’re not making a penny and there will still be bills outstanding every day. It’s going to be a big disaster for everyone, and times are not great for a lot of businesses and to do that to us just because we were successful is not fair.”

The takeaway’s owner says jobs will be lost if the business is forced to close

Mr Khan said the business was invited to an antisocial behaviour meeting by Camden Council in late April, which the police also attended. He said they had followed the plan set out to them by the authorities such as CCTV recommendations, sorting out the litter every hour and having a security guard on the door.

In November the licensing panel made a unanimous decision to revoke the takeaway’s late-night refreshment licence due to a history of non-compliance over the past three years, a disdain for lack of community concerns, sustained public nuisance and that recent improvements from the business were deemed “too little, too late”.

The takeaway appealed the loss of its licence and so were able to continue to trade their late-night hours. The licence appeal has been scheduled for September 30.

Awale Olad, former councillor of Holborn and Covent Garden and a resident, said: “I am enormously grateful to our local officers, who have shown considerably more patience and perseverance than this establishment ever deserved. “I very much hope the closure order is upheld and that this wretched place does not reopen.”

A police spokesperson said: “Over recent months, police have received multiple reports of anti-social behaviour in and around Lebanese Grill. This includes repeated instances of excessive noise, littering and aggressive behaviour associated with large groups gathering outside the premises. “Police and the local authority made continuous attempts to engage with the business owners to address these concerns.

“Despite these efforts, the issues persisted and consequently, a closure notice has been issued on the premises.”