Police and council concerns over Hartlepool takeaway's bid to stay open until 3am

Proposals have been submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council planning department from bosses at Pizza Nation, in York Road, to remain open for three hours longer on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

The proposals, submitted by Kabeer Hussain, states he wants the takeaway to be open from 4pm until 3am on those days.

The business currently has permission to open from 4pm until midnight daily.

However police and council public protection officers have raised concerns the extended hours could lead to an increased risk of crime and disorder.

A planning statement from Mr Hussain states the move would be to boost his business.

He said: “The reason for this request is that it will help me gain additional sales and also give me an opportunity to offer better customer service with the longer hours.

“I would like to help my business grow and this will really help in achieving that and also give me the opportunity to remain stable and secure long-term.

“This area on York Road is predominantly shops, financial services and hot food takeaways and I believe that an extension to the hours should not affect anyone.”

But a response from Steve Davies, from Cleveland Police said he had “some concern” with the application.

He said: “Hot food takeaways have the potential to increase incidents of crime and disorder particularly with late night opening times when often alcohol is often a factor with people using such premises.

“The area is in fairly close proximity of residential properties and the proposed opening times has the potential to impact on residents in an adverse manner.”

Hartlepool Borough Council public protection department have also said they would not support the plans, as the site is close to residential properties.

They said: “The hours applied for would be in conflict with the local planning policies and the licensing policy for the area.

“Planning appeals for similar hours at local takeaways in close proximity to this have been dismissed in the past and I would therefore not be supportive of this application.”

A decision is expected to be made on the proposals by the council planning department in April.

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