A Nepalese restaurant has failed to win a booze licence for the second time in the last four months, after the council's licensing committee continued to raise ownership concerns.

Caversham restaurant Momo House lost its license to sell alcohol in October 2017 after illegal workers fled during a search.

New owner Thir Bahadir Gurung was refused a new booze licence in August 2018 due to concerns about his understanding of licensing policy, and whether he was the true owner of the restaurant.

Mr Gurung was able to show his knowledge of the licensing objectives on this occasion but failed to convince Reading Borough Council’s (RBC) licensing committee of his commitment to the business.

Peter French, licensing officer, said: "We still have not received anything that ties Mr Gurung to being the sole entity in charge of this premises.

"The premises has a bit of a troublesome history. We don't want to see a repeat of that."

Mr Gurung is currently paying rent and business rates at the restaurant but has not signed a lease agreement.

His legal representative, Surendra Panchal, said the committee could add a condition to the licence, that Mr Gurung provide a lease agreement within three months of approval.

The applicant also offered to reduce the hours mentioned in the application by an hour, to 11pm, but the committee focused their concerns on ownership.

Councillor Chris Maskell said: "This committee continues to have concerns in relation to Mr Gurung's experience and, given the past history, continues to have reservations regarding a lack of ownership at the premises."

Simon Wheeler, TVP officer, said: "I believe you have taken up this business with the expectation that, if you don't get the licence, you will walk away.”

Mr Gurung responded: "This is my future plan. I can't just throw away my future like that. Running and owning my own restaurant is my dream.”

Mr Wheeler also raised concern over a previous offence that Mr Gurung received a caution for, and the discussion of which was held in private due to the confidential information.

He said: "We believe that this DPS being placed on this licence gives rise to particular exceptional concerns."

Mr Panchal said: “Mr Gurung should have been given a chance. He has already had sufficient evidence to show ownership of the restaurant as well as how well he would be promoting the licensing objectives.”