A restaurant could lose its licence after its owner was accused of forging official records by police and council licensing chiefs. Sussex Police and Brighton and Hove City Council officials said they have lost confidence in Emad Abdolkhani who runs Persia in Hove's Church Road. The business owner said: “It is nonsense to allege that I would arrange for the falsification of training records in full view of the police.
” After the concerns came to light, Sussex Police asked the council to review the restaurant's premises licence - which allows the venue to sell alcohol until 10.30pm six nights a week and until 10pm on Sundays. The business may have to close if the council revokes the licence.
The review is due to take place next week when a council licensing panel made up of three councillors is expected to decide what steps to take. It follows an inspection by police and a council licensing official on Friday, April 19. Among other things, they were concerned that a new first-floor extension was being used as an illicit shisha lounge.
The council had previously refused an application to extend the drinks licence to include the first floor earlier this year. Persia has lodged an appeal against the decision. Last year the council also refused a planning application for a first-floor extension and change of use from housing to restaurant.
Mr Abdolkhani appealed but his appeal was dismissed on Friday, April 26. The application for a review of the licence was submitted by Chief.