The Licensing Sub Committee, consisting of Councillor Alan Currie, Councillor Rebecca Wing, and Councillor Linda Wright, scheduled a meeting to be held on 2 September 2025. The main item on the agenda was an application for a new premises licence for Zeti Turkish & Mediterranean Restaurant in Broadstairs. The report pack included the application and supporting documents, as well as objections received from the public.

Application for New Premises Licence: Zeti Turkish & Mediterranean Restaurant

The Licensing Sub Committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence at Zeti Turkish & Mediterranean Restaurant, located at 19-21 Albion Street, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 1LU.

According to the Zeti Turkish Meditereanian Resturant Report, the purpose of the meeting was to consider the application, with a recommendation that the Sub Committee determine the application in accordance with licensing objectives.

The report noted that there had been previous licences for the premises, including Mia's and Raindells, but the previous licence could not be transferred to the new owners due to the previous holder going into liquidation. A copy of the previous premises licence was included in the report pack as Annex 3.

The report also noted that conditions had been agreed with the Licensing Enforcement Officer (Annex 4), the Environmental Health Officer (Annex 5), and the Police Licensing Officer (Annex 6).

During the consultation period, the council received four representations objecting to the licence application. The report pack included these representations as Annexes 7, 8, 9 and 10.

The Sub Committee was asked to consider the following options:

• Approve the application
• Approve the application with further changes/conditions
• Refuse the application

The Zeti Turkish Meditereanian Resturant Report outlined the legal and constitutional implications of the decision, stating that the Licensing Sub-Committee must discharge its duties in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003, ensuring that any decision promotes the four statutory licensing objectives:

Prevention of crime and disorder, Public safety, Prevention of public nuisance, Protection of children from harm

The Sub-Committee was also reminded of its obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty¹ (Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010), to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relation between persons with protected characteristics and those without.

Objections to the Licence Application

The council received objections from several local residents, including Peter Thomas of 22 Albion Street, and Carole Brett of 26 Albion Street. Claudia Bernat, the owner of 20 Albion Street, also submitted an objection. Another objection came from 24 Albion Street.

The primary concern raised in the objections was the proposed late-night opening hours, specifically 10:00 to 02:00 on Friday and Saturday nights. Objectors felt that these hours were excessive for a restaurant in a residential area and more appropriate for a nightclub or late-night entertainment venue.

Peter Thomas raised concerns regarding the prevention of public nuisance, crime and disorder, public safety, and the protection of children from harm. He also noted that as a Grade II listed building, he is not allowed to fit double glazed windows to his property to reduce noise pollution.

He requested clarification on whether the application was specifically for a restaurant operation and not a bar, club, or entertainment venue, and whether the application included provision for live music, recorded music, or entertainment. He proposed a compromise of operating until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights.

Another resident of Albion Street referenced recent incidents of anti-social behaviour in Broadstairs, including a dispersal order issued by Kent Police in response to violent incidents in June 2025. They also noted a petition signed by over 5,000 residents expressing concern about the rising tide of antisocial behaviour in Broadstairs.

In response to the objections, Fırat Kurt and Abdullah Darioglu, from Zeti Turkish & Mediterranean Restaurant, stated that they fully respect the concerns raised by local residents, but would like to provide context. They noted that their premises are located in a busy hospitality and entertainment area where several venues operate until late at night, and that the area already has an established late-night economy. They also stated that Zeti is a seated restaurant with table service, focusing on food as the primary activity, and that alcohol sales will be ancillary to meals.

Conditions Agreed with Authorities

The report pack included conditions agreed with various authorities:

• Licensing Enforcement Officer: The agreed conditions covered staff training protocols, recording practices and registers, CCTV installation and access policies, Challenge 25 policy and signage, off-sales in sealed plastic containers only, and ceasing alcohol service 30 minutes before closing.
• Environmental Health Officer: The agreed condition was that all windows and doors be closed at 11pm except for ingress and egress. Fırat Kurt also offered to add to his operating schedule for the prevention of public nuisance that bifold doors will be kept closed during any live music or dance events.
• Police Licensing Officer: The agreed conditions were included in Annex 6.

Declarations of Interest

Councillors were asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests or significant interests related to the application, as outlined in the DoI advice document.