Takeaway questions need for early hours door staff

The owner has been told he must hire security before the takeaway's opening hours can be extended

A takeaway owner has criticised a demand by police that he must hire bouncers before opening until 05:00 BST at weekends.

Betsy’s and Little Dessert Shop in Broad Street, Wolverhampton wants to extend its opening hours at weekends for late-night takeaway orders but has been told it must first hire door staff.

Owner Mohammad Chohan has called the requirement "harsh and unnecessary."

West Midlands Police said bouncers would help prevent crime and disorder.

In emails to the force and the City of Wolverhampton Council, Mr Chohan said the city centre was already "exceedingly quiet" and "practically deserted with few customers" and the request for bouncers was "absurd."

He also called the request "disproportionate and unreasonable."

The current opening hours for the 42 seat venue are until 01:00 every day and 03:00 at weekends.

The application seeks permission to extend the hours until 02:00 every day and 05:00 at weekends, with the takeaway closing to customers at 23:00, but staying open for deliveries.

Broad Street is in a "cumulative impact zone" – often found in areas with a high number of bars, restaurants, clubs and other late-night venues – which places even tighter restrictions on venue owners to prevent trouble and drunken disorder.

A request to extend the opening hours at Betsy’s and Little Dessert Shop in Wolverhampton Road, Heath Town, until 02:00 at weekends will also be discussed by the same council licensing sub-committee on Thursday.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.