Residents living near one of Britain's biggest Asian wedding venues say they have been kept awake for over a year by fireworks, revving supercars and late-night disruption. The Monal by Jalwa, in Cleckheaton, near Bradford, West Yorkshire, can cater for up to 800 guests and sits just yards from more than 30 flats.
Locals claim their existence has been turned into 'hell' since the venue launched last June. Attendees frequently arrive in convoys of Lamborghinis and Bentleys for lavish ceremonies. Throughout the summer months, May to September, neighbours say there can be up to three ceremonies daily, which regularly exceed the 11pm curfew.
Residents complain of constant noise
Tim Miller, 68, has lodged complaints with Kirklees Council on three separate occasions. He said: "Nothing has changed for the better - if anything the cars revving in the car park has become worse. My wife and I now leave the flat from Thursday to Tuesday to stay in my static caravan in Filey. We are the lucky ones who can escape - I feel for those who can't."
One pensioner, 76, who resides with his 77-year-old housebound spouse and wishes to remain anonymous, said: "We have lived here for eight years and we used to like watching the Proms. But for the last year it has been impossible there's as I can't hear it as the engines are always revving. We have never received an apology."
Mum-of-one Alina Leipina, 35, expressed her frustration: "I hate it. I wasn't aware of the plans to convert it into a wedding venue, so it came as a shock to me and my family. When the fireworks go off at night when my son is asleep, sometimes they make him cry out of fear. It has been happening most weekends for the past year, but has gotten worse now it is summer. I don't think they care because they are rich."
Another local resident, who wished to remain anonymous for safety reasons, likened living next to the venue to being adjacent to a "Formula 1 track".
Venue history and response
Signs have been put up around the venue urging visitors not to rev engines, but locals claim these measures have "done nothing". For 20 years, the venue was home to the world's largest Indian restaurant, known as the Aakash, until its closure in November 2022. The six-pillared building dates back to the 1850s and originally served as a Congregational and then United Reformed church until its closure in 1991.
After falling into disrepair, the Victorian chapel was restored in 2001 and opened as an Asian restaurant after being saved by local businessman Mohammed Iqbal Tabassum in a £1.75 million project. It was sold in 2022 before being transformed into the wedding venue three years later. Entrepreneur Akbar Ali, alongside his father, Imran Ali, co-founders of the company, oversaw the conversion project. According to Mr Ali, it was revamped in early 2025 during a five-month transformation and hosted its inaugural wedding in June of that same year.
Kirklees planning portal reveals two approved planning applications were lodged in 2023 and 2025 for both interior and exterior refurbishments. Spen Valley Civic Society weighed in on one, requesting the venue ensure any "firework celebrations will be kept to a minimum, to protect the amenity of local residents".
Council action and ongoing issues
Party-goers turn up flaunting their riches by hiring supercars such as Lamborghinis, Porsches, and Ferraris, which they can rev and sound the horns sometimes for "three hours straight" before entering the establishment. Disturbing footage has captured guests igniting coloured flares which "smoke out the area" and occasionally their properties. Neighbours report large crowds of intoxicated guests occasionally hurling plastic cups and beer bottles into their gardens.
Kirklees Council said they are "aware of ongoing concerns regarding noise" and are working with West Yorkshire Police, other agencies, and the venue to find a "suitable resolution". Councillor Pip Harvey, Kirklees Council Cabinet Member for Place, Culture and Volunteering said: "There is already an 11pm curfew in place, and recent investigations found no evidence that reports of fireworks are linked to, or being set off by the venue itself." They also stated they are collaborating with WYP to "address concerns relating to nuisance parking". The Monal and Kim Leadbeater have been contacted for a response. West Yorkshire Police chose not to comment.
