PEOPLE living near a controversial bar have had their hopes of a quiet Christmas dashed after a judge gave it permission to carry on trading until 2am.

Residents in South Woodford thought they could look forward to a more restful festive season after magistrates said they were unable to hear Funky Mojoes' appeal against a reduction in its licencing hours.

The court's ruling came after a last minute intervention by the Redbridge Council - which argued that the High Road bar was 'not entitled' to contest its decision.

But residents' celebrations were cut short when a High Court judge granted Mojoes' lawyers permission for a judicial review of the magistrates' ruling - leaving the bar free to continue trading until 2am until well into the new year.

James Monroe, of Grove Road, said the decision 'defied belief.'

He said: "This is completely gutting.

"We were all so happy when we heard that the bar might not be able to open late over Christmas - but now we are back to square one.

"What's the point of the council having any licencing powers when bar's can just employ fancy lawyers and get around their decisions?

"It defies belief that the council, and the views of residents, canjust be ignored like this."

Sandra Kapp, whose late mother Paula was kept awake until the early hours by noise from the bar when she lived in neighbouring Tempus Court - described the judge's decision as 'upsetting' for residents.

She said: "This is a disappointment.

"I just wish the bar would go back to operating like a restaurant bar like it said it would, and not like a nightclub.

"This is very upsetting. I just hope that the right judgement will come about in time for the vulnerable elderly people who live there."

Mojoes lawyer, David Dadds, said: "“My client is satisfied with the judgement at the High Court and the result is that he can continue to trade at his normal permitted hours.

"He is looking forward to having his appeal heard at Redbridge Magistrates Court if the High Court agrees that it has the jurisdiction to hear the appeal.

"The police and the anti-social behaviour team believe that licencing objectives are all met, and we believe that we provide a safe and friendly environment to come out into the night time economy.

"We made it absolutely clear if the licence was granted as applied for we would go in the direction of a bar/restaurant but it wasn’t.

"A number of residents would appear to be on a crusade. They want to close it."