Kebab shop’s 4am opening plan rejected
PLANS to open a takeaway in Southport town centre until 4am have been refused.
The news led to one local politician declaring: “I am not convinced that the kind of custom desperate for a kebab at 4am is quite what is needed.”
The refusal for Hasan Akdeniz’s scheme, in the former Dome clothes shop on Nevill Street, will once again spark debate on the balance between a thriving night time economy, against plans for a quiet life for an increasing number of people living in the town centre.
Dismissing the appeal, government planning inspector Alison Partington said: “To allow the takeaway to extend these hours until 4am each day would result in unacceptable harm to the living conditions of nearby residents.”
The refusal comes even though Southport Food Center, on the other side of Nevill Street and also owned by Mr Akdeniz, is open until 4am every Saturday and Sunday, 2am on Sunday, and 3am every other day.
The restrictions for any takeaway opening in the Dome site would remain restricted to 11am to midnight each day.
Ms Partington said: “Nevill Street contains a mixture of food and drink establishments, amuse- ment arcades and gift shops. However, there are also a number of residential uses both on the upper floors of the commercial units and along the various side roads.
“Given the increasing number of residential units above retail premises in the area, the council has indicated that they now generally seek to restrict opening hours to 11pm.
“It seems likely to me that the proposed extended opening hours would particularly attract custom from the nearby bars.
“Some of these people may be inebriated, and any loud voices and shouting would be a source of disturbance for those living nearby.”
Southport town centre (Dukes Ward) councillor Tony Dawson welcomed the outcome.
He said: “There can already be noise very early in the morning in the town centre which carries upwards to the hundreds of residents of flats in and around Lord Street. Council and commercial bin collections often take place very early so as to not interfere with trading.
“So to add the potential of noise at 4am to the noise which already starts sometimes at 6am seems a step too far.
“Our clubland area clearly works beyond midnight and this is an accepted part of life within the town.
“But, unless someone comes up with a lot of fresh evidence I am not convinced that the kind of custom desperate for a kebab at 4am is quite what is needed especially if it adds to the problems of residents who sometimes already don’t get too much sleep.”