A Beckenham restaurant has defended its decision to send cease and desist letters to local residents who complained about noise at a licensing hearing. Pierluigi's, an Italian eatery on Beckenham High Street, has been in dispute with Bromley Council after being ordered to lower its music volume following numerous complaints.
The family-owned restaurant argues that music is essential for its 'vibe dining' business model, which features a DJ on weekend evenings. After the council's Licensing Sub-Committee rejected a new licence application in August, deeming the restaurant a public nuisance, Pierluigi's appealed, citing 'legal misdirection, factual errors, and unfair reliance on hearsay'.
David Dadds, the restaurant's legal representative, claimed two Kelsey Park Road residents misled the committee by changing their stated residences during the hearing. Pierluigi's issued cease and desist letters to the men, alleging defamation, misrepresentation and malicious falsehood, and warning of potential compensation claims if they repeated their allegations.
At a subsequent licensing hearing on 20 October, Gerald Gouriet KC, representing the council, slammed the letters as 'threats' and 'scare tactics', saying their 'palpable purpose is to scare off two witnesses'. Resident Peter Hopkins described the letter as a 'very upsetting legal attack'.
Sofia Figuera Martin, Pierluigi's director, defended the action, stating: 'If a resident comes and actively lies, why should I not exercise my right to defend myself?' She claimed she is 'constantly defamed and slandered' and insisted she runs a professional establishment. In its latest licence submission, the restaurant outlined proactive measures to address concerns, which Ms Martin said are yielding tangible results.
