A family living above a Bath takeaway have said they have been forced to try to sell their property after receiving threats from members of staff.
The Pasmore family were speaking at a licensing review into Mix Grill, formerly known as Flames, which is based in Cleveland Place.
Bath and North East Somerset Council has said the business has been serving hot food outside its allowed opening hours and the authority and police have received complaints about noise and violent incidents.
During the hearing at the Guildhall, Linda Pasmore, who owns the flat directly above the takeaway and whose son Oliver owns the floor above that, described to councillors the turmoil her family had suffered.
She said: "Since last year we have not been back to the flat as we are very intimidated and scared.
"A man once went up to my son's flat and told him not to cross these people as they have people killed and said that there will be trouble if we get involved.
"I am not a pathetic woman but this is a situation that has really upset me and it's thrown our lives into jeopardy."
Mrs Pasmore also said the smell from downstairs was unbearable because the takeaway did not have working extractor fans.
She said: "We had friends over a couple of years ago but they didn't want to stay because the smell was so bad.
"We can't even sell the flat because two parties have looked around it but both have said it smelled awful and didn't want to buy it."
The takeaway has recently changed management and new staff have been employed.
Owner Jamie Brian said the new team were well trained and assured councillors there would be less complaints in the future.
He said: "The new manager has owned businesses of a similar nature before so there should be no more problems."
However officers said staff were still serving food when they were not permitted to do so.
The council's licensing sub-committee decided to reduce the opening hours of the takeaway by one hour for a three month period.
This means it must now stop serving hot food at 2am at the weekend instead of 3am.
ROBIN MURRAY
