A proposed up-market restaurant in Kenton continues to divide residents despite concessionary changes to the way it would operate.

Many letters of support and objection have been received by Harrow Council about an application to change the use of an empty furniture store at 174-178 Kenton Road from retail (A1 class) into an eatery and bar (A3 and A4 classes).

Kenton-based developer C & R Group, which runs a hotel in Bulgaria, said the business, Blue Zoo, would be an Asian diner with a cocktail lounge aimed at young professionals aged 25 and over.

One set of petitioners has urged councillors to approve the idea, saying: "There is currently no such high class restaurant and bar in Kenton. This will be a vibrant up-market venue where staff can go after work."

Neighbouring retailers generally welcomed Blue Zoo because they thought it would help boost trade in an area of declining custom.

But another residents' petition wants the plans rejected because of fears of late night noise and disturbance, rubbish, loss of retail space on Kenton Road and perceived parking problems.

In the face of the initial complaints, C & R changed the proposed closing time from 2am to midnight, negotiated agreements to enable visitors to park in the nearby Sainsbury's supermarket and Premier Inn car parks and cut the maximum capacity to 250.

However, this has not swayed the detractors, who appear in the minority, judging by the numbers of letters in support and in objection to the development.

The Labour group on Harrow Council reaffirmed its hostility to the scheme at a public meeting on June 22.

Harrow Labour councillor Navin Shah, who is also the GLA member for Brent and Harrow, said: "The reduction in the seating capacity is a step in the right direction but I agree with the residents that the revisions to the application still fail to address all their major concerns.

"Together with Tony McNulty (Labour MP for Harrow East), I support their objections to the revised application.

"It would seem to me that the reasons given by the council officers for outright rejection of the original application still remain totally valid to the revised one."

Neil Patel, managing director of C&R Group Limited, said: "They say there's already too many bars and restaurants in Kenton Road but we're more of a restaurant than a bar and there isn't much in Harrow in terms of style or class."

Does Harrow need an up-market bar/restaurant?

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