A chicken takeaway boss has applied for a licence to stay open until 5am but Sussex Police and Brighton and Hove City Council licensing team have lodged formal objections.
Noor Rahman Momand, 53, who took over Chicks, in Lewes Road, Brighton, in April, has applied for a late-night refreshment licence to sell food overnight. His business does not sell alcoholic drinks.
From Monday to Saturday, Mr Momand wants to open at 11am and to be able to trade until 5am the next morning. On Sundays, he wants to open at 11am and to be able to trade until 3am.
Last year, the previous owner Ishaq Karimi was granted a late-night refreshment licence to operate until 1am.
Despite similar objections, Mr Karimi persuaded a council licensing panel, made up of three councillors, to approve his application.
The licence included conditions including closing the seated area at midnight, installing security cameras and requiring delivery drivers to use designated loading bays. They would not be permitted to stop in Lewes Road outside the business.
Lewes Road is in a busy area where the council has tighter licensing rules aimed at reducing problems with crime and disorder.
The latest application is scheduled to go before a licensing panel next Thursday (6 June).
A report to the panel said that the business had been found in breach of the conditions on its licence.
Council licensing officer Donna Lynsdale carried out a routine inspection on Saturday 20 April and found a failure to comply with four of the licence conditions.
She said that staff could not check the security camera system, delivery drivers were parked directly outside on the red route, tables and chairs were available for use after midnight and staff did not know that they should move drivers on and close the seating area.
She added that extending the hours would “add to the additional burdens and problems” in the area.
On Sunday 21 April, Sussex Police visited the business at 1.15am and found the business trading past its permitted hours.
Inspector Mark Redbourn said: “The applicant has demonstrated they are unable to comply with conditions already on the licence.
“Due to the breaches … we have now begun our stepped approach with the aim of gaining compliance with the current licence with enforcement action being taken if this is not successful.
“Sussex Police are unable to support this application to extend hours, which in turn increases risk, and invite the licensing authority (the council) to seriously consider refusing this application.”
The force submitted crime data for the past year, saying that 96 violent crimes were reported within just over 300 yards – or 300 metres – of the business. There were also 61 reports of anti-social behaviour.
Mr Momand said that public safety would be improved by the shop being open until 5am and well-lit, giving anyone walking to or from The Level a sense of security.
He said: “Our presence should not be seen as a nuisance, rather it should be seen as a deterrent to anyone thinking to harm the public safety at night in the presence of eye-witnesses.”
The council licensing panel is due to be held remotely and to start at 1.30pm next Thursday (6 June). It is scheduled to be webcast on the council’s website.
Why not? There’s all night off license ? Soak up the booze
This feels reactionary to being caught breaking their premise license.
Mr Momand said that public safety would be improved by the shop being open until 5am and well-lit, giving anyone walking to or from The Level a sense of security. As anyone wanting a take-away at five in the morning will probably be seriously drunk in the first place I doubt that it would really add anything to Public safety.
As the establishment already fails to comply with its current licence conditions is it really likely that they would comply with further ones?
Walking down Lewes Road this morning at six-thirty I noticed that it was seriously littered between the Gyratory and the level with take-away/Alcohol related debris. We really don’t need any more take-aways adding to the mess…
Well when he can be bothered to actually start using commercial waste providers and stop filling up the communal bins with his chicken wings, then maybe. But the crux of the matter is he probably doesn’t make any money during the day as people are sober enough to avoid the place. Equally, will he be putting a bin out on the pavement and tidying up all the mess drunk customers will leave all around Lewes road, doubt it. Turn it down please council.
The biggest issue in Brighton and Hove is the 24hr corner shops selling booze. But the Police then target well run clubs/ bars etc. I think shops should not sell booze after midnight, it will cut down on litter on the beach too. Plus the issue these days is the mopeds all over the pavements.
Personally walking past a ‘well lit’ eating establishment full of drunk people is not my idea of feeling safe. He can’t keep to the licence rules and so unlikely he ever will. Get rid of the grubby pit, his litter and drunk and annoying customers. BHCC please reject!