Police block Newcastle takeaway's bid to extend opening hours
POLICE have won their battle to stop a kebab shop extending its opening hours.
But Newcastle Borough Council will allow Best Kebab to run a late-night delivery service.
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HOURS BID: Best Kebab in George Street.
Officers lodged objections to the authority after the George Street business submitted proposals to stay open until 3.30am on Fridays and Saturdays and 3am during the rest of the week.
They claimed that if the scheme was given the go-ahead, it could lead to an increase in disorder in an area already blighted by anti-social behaviour.
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And yesterday police banned The Sentinel from covering the borough council’s licensing meeting where the kebab shop’s proposals were considered.
A statement from sergeant David Wright, the force’s licensing manager, stated: “The location of the premises is a concern over public nuisance due to the close proximity of local residential dwellings.
“We believe that an increase in the opening hours of the premises will attract complaints of noise and anti-social behaviour from the residents and an increase in crime and disorder from patrons of the nearby town centre.
“The premise licence holder is currently under a criminal investigation in relation to a number of incidents where it is alleged that the venue carried out licensable activity other than in accordance with the premise licence and also beyond the hours permitted on the premise licence.”
However, further representations and additional information from the police were kept secret after both the press and public were barred from the session.
The result of the meeting means the fast food outlet must adhere to its current closing time of midnight, Sunday to Thursday, and 1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays. However, the business will be allowed to operate a delivery service from the premises until 2.30am, Sunday to Thursday, and 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Conditions of the agreement will mean orders can only be made over the telephone and workers must use the rear entrance to access the delivery vehicle. All lights must also be turned off and shutters pulled down at the standard closing time.
Councillor Trevor Hambleton, a member of the authority’s licensing sub-committee, said: “We have allowed a delivery service as they told us that was the most profitable part of the business and this is a compromise which they seemed happy with.”
Chief Inspector Neil Hulme, Newcastle Borough local policing team commander, said: “Both the police and our partners were concerned that by permitting extended opening hours at this premises, it would prevent the dispersal of people and increase incidents of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in the area.”
Comments
by Kenny95
Thursday, September 06 2012, 6:25AM
“Maybe they should look at improving their hygiene standards before they think about extending their trading hours. Hygiene rating 1 = Major improvement needed.”
by putmefootinit
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 7:19PM
“@rav
How do you think me and many others survived working at night, when we were not over-run with stinky, grease-full, fast garbage shops ? They are not needed nor wanted and the sooner the council starts shutting them down due to excessive numbers or being unhygenic the better.
Well done Newcastle police/council-----pervez take note !”
by rav992
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 1:01PM
“the problem with stoke is everything closes early, its like newcastle and hanley, all the shops are closed by 4 or 5, having a take-away that closes at 3am or 4am is needed, people do work at night you know”
by Anon_mow_cop
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 10:20AM
“They applied for extended opening hours,as if there aren't enough obese people in the Stoke-on-Trent area already.My GP told me she has been shocked at the incidence in obesity in her practice and ties it to the number of takeways that seem to prolifirate.”