'We're being taken over by takeaways'
RESIDENTS in an area riddled with takeaways have vowed to fight a trader's decision to stay open until 2am every day.
Shazad Yaqoob has approached the city council with proposals to serve food at his business Chilli Jacks, in Meir, for longer each day.
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HOURS ROW: Meir residents Hilda Healy and Brian Jones with their petition outside Chilli Jacks takeaway. Picture: Mark Scott
But people in Meir say they already have too many takeaways, and fear extended opening hours at the establishment will cause traffic problems. More than 100 of them have now signed a petition opposing the move.
Mr Yaqoob said he had opened later on the advice of the authority: "The council told me if there was a problem with me opening late they would get back to me.
"They haven't done that, so what I'm doing can't be so bad, and I've been closing at about 1.30am for the past few nights.
"My business is on a traffic island and nowhere near houses, so it is causing no disturbance or parking problems for local people."
However, the longer opening hours have triggered the petition, set up by Brian Jones, chairman of Wood Farm Residents' Association.
He told The Sentinel: "We have got about 18 takeaways in Meir and now this one wants to stay open until 2am. Haven't we got enough?
"There is nowhere for people to stop when they go to the takeaway, and they already park on double yellow lines, so things will only get worse.
"We've also got a rat problem in the area, so I can't see more takeaway rubbish will make things better."
He added: "We don't need takeaways in Meir, we need decent shops, but we are getting taken over. To extend the hours of a takeaway which will be right next to the health centre is just ridiculous."
The Sentinel has previously reported how parts of Meir are littered with takeaways.
In November, a survey revealed 69 per cent of households in the Weston and Meir North ward are within 500 metres of a fast-food outlet.
The same report showed 75 per cent of those surveyed do not reach recommended levels of physical activity, and 69 per cent do not eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
Chilli Jacks, in Uttoxeter Road, serves curry dishes, pizzas and other hot food.
Resident Hilda Healy has lived in Meir since 1971. The 63-year-old retired pottery worker, of Goodwin Road, said: "Meir is like one big takeaway at the moment.
"If the council wants to stop obesity, it has got to put a stop to all this opening late."
She added: "I don't understand why these places don't open in the day if they are that desperate for more business.
"It seems they are all asking to stay open later and later."
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by Warren, Meir
Thursday, March 25 2010, 4:36PM
“Asian British.... Stoke.. you did it to, the fact that Chille Jacks as an open kitchen area is of no conserquesce to the report of it wanting to open later. Its in an area of high population, most are in bed by Mid-night, to stay open untill 2 each morning, its non-sence.”
by Asian British, stoke
Wednesday, March 24 2010, 1:38AM
“Chilli Jacks has a open kitchen which can viewed by customers. The standard is high. Sentinel just love making asian businesses or asians a centre point of discussion. These takeaways provide a service, a service which is in demand.
As for the rats, maybe if you can get rid of the needles in Meir and the druggies the rats would disappear too. But oh no lets not concentrate on the real issue and making somthing trivial centre point of discussion.”
by Warren, Meir
Tuesday, March 23 2010, 6:59PM
“Sentinel, do we need to silly sterotipe remarks about Take Outs each time it comes up, all we need is yep! its bad for you eating it like some do, but its ok every so offen, not the 'I know a bloke who puts rats in his Kababs'. Utter nonsence.”
by fred, stoke
Monday, March 22 2010, 10:06PM
“Another late takeway.......God this city full with takeaway's.....I always go venuse's near the bus satation in hanley........They do real chips made from real potatos....Not these frozen Mcdonald type chips............Do you think I get a free portion for advertising???????? Me either.”
by norm, newcastle
Monday, March 22 2010, 7:09PM
“Take your point Bone!, but can you microwave em, with a few starlings and grass snake gravey?”
by bone, baddeley green
Monday, March 22 2010, 7:00PM
“actually norm', it would solve the rat problem”
by norm, inthelandofthetakeaway
Monday, March 22 2010, 6:54PM
“I think most people have had a Chinese or or Indian over the years, so you have probably eaten, rat,cat, dog and a few more furry critters, so what's the problem?.”
by Mick Penning, newcastle, staffs
Monday, March 22 2010, 5:02PM
“Are there any Fish 'n' Chip Shops in Karachi ? (I suppose they'd been called Takeaways -if there were.
Perhaps Mohammed can fill us in?”
by Warren, Meir
Monday, March 22 2010, 2:58PM
“Paul....Salt mate, most of this cheep, disgusting, fat ridden, rubbish dolled out by Take Outs of what ever kind is full of the damed stuff, if could easly deidrate you and make you fell unwell. Most who eat the rubbish don't notice it, and just put it down to the massive hang over they have from drinking far to much before eating it.”
by Warren, Meir
Monday, March 22 2010, 2:44PM
“The Blythe Brige Troll......SILENCE, YOU FOOL. lol. Mohammed..... take that back, I know the rael reason for the rat infestation in Meir. Its in no way linked to the people who live there, who are, for the most part are avrage, working class, good people. Neather as it the first thing to do with any of the Take Aways, don't use any myself, apart from the Brordway Chipie when the need comes for Fish and Chips. The reason is some plonker broke a few draneage covers on the old King Arms site, didn't recap them and hay presto, rats, but it hardly like chapter from a James Hurbert book to be honest. I have said before that the Take Outs don't pose me a problem, and I live near to them. But, why has Chille Jacks got to stay open to 2am, no need for it. Its only been a few days, but give it a week, and we will have all the kids from Blythe Bridge on there way down to sample the city life and all sorts. Shazad... you shop is suroundeed by homes and flats, and well you know it, but its no where near a pub, or cinama, or anything like that. Midnight in the week and weekends is plenty. And will someone get on there legs and get that form round to me, for lord sake.”