A KEBAB shop has been given permission to open later so it can compete with other takeaways.

Yener Solak applied for the extension so Flames Kebab and Pizza House, in Kidsgrove, could meet demand from customers.

The 42-year-old has closed his shop at 11pm throughout the four years he has run the business.

But neighbouring competitors in Liverpool Road held licences to open later.

Yesterday, at a Newcastle Borough Council meeting, councillors levelled the playing field.

Mr Solak can now open his shop until 1am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and until midnight for the rest of the week.

However, the licence is temporary to test if the new hours are acceptable.

Mr Solak must get planning permission for the change to be permanent.

Two previous applications have been refused, but a third is being prepared.

Mr Solak, who was born in Turkey, is hopeful the permission will be granted.

The Chell Heath resident said: "I feel very happy about this result.

"Customers are always asking me to open later and I hope this means we will get the planning permission hours changed too.

"The shop is manned at all times by four male staff. It has not suffered any disturbance in the past."

The shop's first planning application was refused in 2007.

Councillors feared the extended hours would affect residents living opposite the shop.

They were concerned about noise and traffic created by the business.

But only one objection was submitted following the application.

The complaint came from a resident who said he could hear car doors slamming and noise from metal gates next to the shop.

Robert Holmes, representing Mr Solak, said the owner only discovered the licensing hours were less than his competitors' shops after he bought the premises.

He added: "The levels of ambient noise in this street mean that any additional noise from his shop will have no effect.

"This property is in the town centre on a busy commercial road."

The council said Mr Solak must fit a closing device on the shop door and put a cushioning system on the gates to prevent noise.

Liverpool Road resident Geoffrey Allcock, aged 69, said passers-by regularly threw rubbish into residents' front gardens.

But he believes takeaways are not to blame for the mess.

Mr Allcock added: "The problem has more to do with school children walking home discarding things they've bought from Tesco.

"The takeaway doesn't bother me."

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: "Opening later will not make any difference."