'Nightclub-like' shisha bar set to transform into ice cream parlour in Glasgow

A former shisha bar which sparked complaints from neighbours, including allegations of drug use, is set to be turned into an ice cream parlour.

Dubai Nights, on Nithsdale Street, was shut down by council enforcement officers after it opened without planning permission.

It was also refused a late hours licence in early 2020 after reports of anti-social behaviour which included drug use, violence and late night noise.

Now, councillors have granted permission for the venue to be turned into Strathbungo Coffee and Dessert Bar, serving a range of “desserts and ice creams as well as teas and coffees”.

There were 11 objections to the new use, including one from Shawlands and Strathbungo Community Council. Residents were concerned about the opening hours and potential noise from the venue.

One objector said: “The noise and commotion will have an unacceptable impact on residential amenity.

“It was unendurable with Dubai Nights, and will be even worse with people permanently sitting outside. It will have a serious impact on the privacy of adjacent residential backcourts.

“The suggested opening hours are crazy and not in keeping with a normally quiet residential area in the evening.”

A council official said plans for an outdoor seating area had been dropped due to concerns over the impact on neighbours. Officials reported the operational hours, until 10pm on weekdays and 11pm on Friday and Saturday, were in line with council policy.

They added: “It is anticipated that there will be an increase in noise, however, this is not expected to be detrimental.”

Only a microwave and waffle maker will be allowed to heat food to “protect local residents from nuisance resulting from the disposal of cooking odours”.

Councillors on the planning committee raised concerns over pedestrian access to the site, with Bailie Christy Mearns saying there wasn’t a “very good or safe” route into the development as the entrance is shared with cars.

It was agreed a condition should be added to ensure “safe delineation between pedestrian and vehicle access and egress”.

Previously a trade paint centre, the premises changed “without planning permission to a shisha bar”, a council official said.

“Planning enforcement action was taken and eventually the use ceased and three extraction ducts on side elevation facing the back court of the tenements on Pollokshaws Road were removed.”

Plans for the shisha bar were submitted in late 2019, as the applicant “was now aware of planning permission being required”, but they were turned down.

Planning officials decided the proposed opening hours would have an “unacceptable impact” on nearby residents and proposed flues, for cooking odours, would be “detrimental to the character and appearance of the local area”.

Then, in January 2020, licensing chiefs threw out an application for a late hours catering licence amid reports of drug use and violence.

The owners wanted Dubai Nights to open until 2am on Friday and Saturday nights but residents and local councillors objected to the bid.

Councillor Jon Molyneux told the licensing committee that there had been reports of anti-social behaviour, including potential drug use, drug dealing and violence.

He said the venue was “akin to a nightclub” that doesn’t serve alcohol.

Objectors claimed customers left the premises late at night, revving their car engines and playing loud music.

The cafe’s manager claimed the venue closed at 11pm but admitted people had smoked cannabis outside the building. He said they had been asked to leave.