Chippy told its tables 'could be used as weapons'

The restaurant now has to remove the tables

A fish and chip shop has been ordered to remove picnic tables which the police think could be used as weapons.

Michelle Michael, who owns the Waterfront Fish Bar as well as the Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare, was told by police to remove the blue picnic tables outside the restaurant.

Police told a licensing hearing at North Somerset Council: "Any furniture that's left can be used as weapons during the high risk late hours."

However, Ms Michael said: "We have been operating the site since 2010 and we have not seen any anti-social behaviour involving the use of furniture."

The benches were bought by the chippy earlier this summer for use on the pedestrianised section of Regent Street outside the premises, as they are heavy and do not blown away.

However, they were unable to be packed away into the small fish restaurant each night, as required by a condition in its licence.

Now a bid to remove that condition and allow the benches to stay out overnight has been quashed after North Somerset Council's licensing subcommittee sided with the police.

Police said the tables could potentially be used as weapons

Police licensing officer Andy Manhire told a licensing hearing on 2 September: "They could be thrown or moved, thereby causing a danger to pedestrians or vehicles."

But Ms Michael pointed out that the recycled plastic picnic tables weighed about 100kg (220lb) each and were not "throwable".

She said lighter picnic tables were in use at Bistrot Pierre, just across the square, but was told they were outside of council control as they were on private property.

Mr Manhire added that, unlike Bistrot Pierre, the Waterfront benches were located in the "flow of drunks" down Regent Street.

The council will not enforce its decision immediately to give the fish restaurant time to make arrangements.