ANGRY residents living above a village tea room have described the din as "soul-destroying".
Homeowners have said the noise coming from Mrs Smith's tea room and gift shop in Nork has caused them sleepless nights and health problems.
The Nork Way shop, which initially opened as a "quintessentially English" venue in 2010, had – up until Monday – a licence to sell alcohol until midnight seven days a week.
But noise complaints from neighbours forced Reigate and Banstead Borough Council's licensing committee to review these opening times.
At a hearing this week, Alan Machado, speaking for residents living above the shop, including his mother, said after the licence was granted in December 2013, "something changed drastically".
He said: "From that day onwards there was what can only be described as challenging, stressful, tortuous, harmful noise. Imagine strangers sitting on chairs and tables outside in your driveway at night, talking, laughing, smoking. The smoke enters your home."
He added the noise had become "soul-destroying and relentless".
Mr Machado's mother Lucy Andrade, who has lived there for 26 years, said: "I feel my flat and my privacy have been taken away from me.
"They control my sleep. I can only sleep when they tell me to. I feel this is a torture."
Tony and Jo King's family have also suffered from the "constant" noise, including furniture being scraped along the floor after closing, and pleaded with councillors to reduce the opening hours.
Mr King told the committee their three-year-old and six-month-old baby had become "unsettled and irritable" through lack of sleep.
In her defence, tea shop owner Helen Smith told the committee she "stood by" her initial plan to create a "venue for mature adults to be able to relax and chat in a quiet home-from-home environment".
She added: "We have and always will be mindful of local residents."
Mrs Smith also disputed claims customers were chanting and singing outside.
Despite residents' pleas, the committee decided to reduce opening hours at the weekend by just an hour, from midnight to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
On Thursdays, the tea room must close at 10pm and at 6pm Mondays-Wednesdays and Sundays.
Live music has also been banned and the seating area outside must be shut one hour before closing.
The committee also asked Mrs Smith to place signs encouraging customers to keep noise to a minimum, and to liaise with police once a month.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Machado said the residents will consider appealing the decision, stating, "nothing's changed".
He added: "People's lives are being affected and they've put business first."
