Plans to open a new Brazilian restaurant to clean up a 'run-down' unit in Kingston have been unveiled.

Esquina Brasil wants to revamp an empty venue in Kingston previously plagued by rats and breathe new life into the area, according to a representative.

However, the plans have been met with concern from neighbours, who begged Kingston Council's licensing committee to require the outdoor seating area of the venue, on Richmond Road, to close at 7pm.

The restaurant has applied for permission to keep the outdoor area open until 10pm.

Neighbour Sarah Gaston said she was worried noisy customers sitting outside would disturb her kids' sleep.

She said: "I have a child with special needs. He needs to sleep otherwise he will really suffer."

Ms Gaston added: "We've lived on that road for 20-plus years and seen many businesses come and go, and whilst we wouldn't want to curtail anyone's right to earn a living, my query is that for me I really don't want that to come at the expense of others."

Patrick Davies, another resident, said while he also welcomed the redevelopment of the site, he wanted the outdoor area to shut at 7pm to prevent neighbours from being disturbed. 

He added: "While I support this business opening, becoming part of our community, I believe these additional measures will strike a fair balance between allowing the business to succeed and also protecting the rights of nearby residents and also other businesses."

Licensing consultant Manuel Rocha argued, on behalf of the business, that the requested hours were 'reasonable' and it was up to the committee to decide if any more restrictions should be imposed. He said the business wanted to have a good relationship with residents and would try to resolve any issues if they arose.

Rodrigo Sarzeda, who would run the restaurant, told the hearing the venue was 'extremely run-down' before the business took over.

 He said: "There were clearly problems with rats and vermin around and we are clearly clearing this up.

"We are trying to upscale the street here and do something nice for the community and the area."

He added: "We want to take into consideration the neighbours, but as well we want to run a business that is profitable, and we don't want to end up being just another closed-down shop down the street."

The restaurant would sell booze from 10am to 10.30pm on Sundays to Thursdays, and until 11.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays, if the plans are approved.

It proposed adding extra conditions to the licence to prevent anti-social behaviour and noise disturbance – including the installation of CCTV, training staff appropriately and putting up signs asking customers to leave quietly.

Kingston Council will publish its decision on the plans in the coming days.