A troubled town centre restaurant could be shut down after owners failed to provide CCTV of a mass brawl.

Police launched a review of the premises’ licence at the Gurkha Villa, in Bank Street, Ashford, after glass was thrown at a member of staff.

Frustrated officers said the surveillance footage could have led to convictions, and told a licensing sub-committee meeting at Ashford Borough Council (ABC) how they had “no choice” but to request the review.

PC Alistair Pringle said the fight was believed to have involved up to 20 people.

“We and ABC have been more than patient with the Gurkha Villa,” he said.

“The manager is a completely respectful and pleasant person to deal with, however, if I look at the premises as a whole, he was manager there when CCTV was not provided on more than one occasion. If CCTV was available convictions could have come off the back of that.”

Manager Jitendra Chemjong was warned of a breach of conditions after failing to provide CCTV of the fight last April.

But in January this year, a drunk customer smashed the glass doors at the front of the site after being refused more alcohol. The restaurant failed to produce any CCTV again, sparking the premises review.

Councillors decided to suspend the premises licence for one month, but the restaurant will remain open while an appeal is processed.

Licensing sub-committee meeting chairman Cllr Peter Feacey (Con) - who also decided to cut the Gurkha Villa’s opening hours - said: “There is some important work to be done to enable this business to trade.”

Solicitor Barry Keating, who represented the Gurkha Villa, says a new CCTV system was installed three months ago.

He said: “Mr Chemjong has taken the complaints very seriously.

“There is going to be a new regime there and I am quite sure the concerns expressed by the police and members of the council will not arise in the future.”