A SHISHA cafe on the southside of Glasgow has been refused permission to open late amid reports of drug use and violence.

The owners of Dubai Nights on Nithsdale Street asked Glasgow City Council for a late hours catering licence to allow them to keep the cafe open until 2am on Friday and Saturday nights.

But neighbours and local councillors, who said the cafe opens late without the licence, objected to the application.

They claim customers leave late at night, revving their car engines and blaring music from their stereos.

Councillor Jon Molyneux said there had been reports of anti-social behaviour, including potential drug use, drug dealing and violence. It is "akin to a night club" that doesn't serve alcohol, he added.

Bailie Norman MacLeod said the cafe's owners had a "cavalier attitude to the whole enterprise".

"I have been the recipient of a considerable amount of complaints from constituents," he added.

"Those operating this night club facility, they're not being good neighbours. It's causing enough difficulties in its present trading, without being made any worse."

In total, there were 16 objections to the late hours application, including one from Shawlands and Strathbungo Community Council.

The cafe's manager said it offers shisha, hot drinks and desserts from 3pm, closing at 11pm. He admitted people had smoked cannabis outside the premises but said they had been asked to leave.

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Licensing chairman Alex Wilson questioned why the objectors said it opened until 2 or 3am. "Are you disputing that?," he said. "100%," the representative replied.

A Google search for Dubai Nights reveals the cafe opens until 2am but the manager said the entry hadn't been edited since the cafe opened.

He said car engines were revved outside their premises. "It's nothing to do with our premises."

Bailie John Kane said: "We're being told something by the local community that is completely different to what you're saying."

The manager said they would hire security to prevent noise outside the cafe.