A pizza place in Twickenham has been granted an appeal against a reduction of its late night refreshment licensing hours, after owners said it would seriously harm business.

Village Pizza, in London Road, is still running the same hours as before but, if unsuccessful at appeal, expected in October or November, will have to adhere to the changes requested at a licensing meeting on March 4.

At the meeting, Richmond Council told Village Pizza it needed to reduce its hours after police had reported a number of incidents it had linked to the venue.

However, manager Katy Habibian said a reduction in the hours could seriously harm business and the incidents were in fact linked to the bus stop nearby and in the street.

She said: “There have been no changes to the licence. Until it’s heard by the magistrates it will remain the same.”

PC John McGann asked Richmond Council for a review of the licence following several incidents police linked to the store, including one report of a serious assault on a man on December 29, where four men attacked him with a belt buckle.

The hours Village Pizza can sell late night refreshments until is Monday to Wednesday 11pm to 1.30am, Thursday 11pm to 2am, Friday and Saturday 11pm to 3am and Sunday 11pm to 1am.

If the appeal is unsuccessful the new hours would be Monday to Thursday, 11pm to 1.30am, and Friday to Sunday 11pm to 12.30am.