The owners of a bar near Twickenham's Allianz Stadium have expressed heartbreak over its current management and plan to evict the operators following complaints about antisocial behaviour on match days.
Background of The Scrummery
Karen and Colin Griffiths opened The Scrummery in 1996 near Allianz Stadium, formerly known as Twickenham Stadium. They let the business to operators Bijal and Rupesh Soni in 2021.
The venue on Whitton Road faced a licensing review by Richmond Council on June 10 after residents reported severe disruption on rugby days, including excessive noise and drunken behaviour since the new operators took over.
Residents' Complaints
Residents said they had tried to engage with the Soni family for years to resolve issues such as loud music continuing long after matches, punters urinating in gardens, harassing women, and blocking the pavement. The review was supported by Richmond's licensing team.
In 2023, the Sonis met with owners, licensing officers, and police to address concerns, but complaints resurfaced in 2024, leading to another meeting in January.
Eviction Notice Issued
The Griffiths have issued a Section 25 eviction notice to take back the venue by August 31. The Sonis' legal representative said they would challenge this in court.
Colin Griffiths said they let the business on the basis it was a sushi restaurant, not a bar. He added, "This is a lifetime's work for Karen. She's heartbroken by what's happened."
Licensing Hearing
Lib Dem councillor Katie Mansfield described the venue as running "more like a disco in the centre of Soho" on match days. Neighbour Amanda Bail said noise had been "intolerable" since 2021, causing stress to her dogs.
Gary Inniss said his 96-year-old mother-in-law was tormented by booming music. Another resident, David Squires, said efforts to address issues were met with promises but no action.
Operators' Defense
Barrister Gary Grant, representing the Sonis, said a new licence with tighter conditions would resolve complaints. The application included 43 letters of support and 15 objections.
Grant argued The Scrummery was not alone in contributing to issues on Whitton Road, noting off-licences in the area. He said the Sonis had implemented measures after the January meeting, and licensing experts observed improvements during smaller matches.
The proposed licence would require stopping alcohol sales by 9pm, closing by 10pm, noise monitoring, and regular meetings with residents. Grant said, "Granting a licence to the operators makes them legally accountable."
Mrs Soni acknowledged mistakes and said they wanted to rectify them.
Opposition Continues
Residents and the Griffiths opposed the new licence, fearing problems would persist. Colin Griffiths said, "We've had enough, we can't work, we have to simply take it back."
The council's decision on the review and new licence application will be published in the coming days.
