Takeaway boss 'must run bouncer risk assessment'

Mohammad Chohan, from Betsy's X LDS, had applied for permission to open his Broad Street business until 05:00 on Fridays and Saturdays

A takeaway owner has been told he must run a risk assessment on whether to hire security staff at his late-night city centre takeaway.

Mohammad Chohan, from Betsy's X LDS, Wolverhampton, had applied for permission to open on Broad Street until 05:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

After being told he would need to hire qualified door staff, Mr Chohan called the order "harsh". But police felt an SIA (Security Industry Authority) qualified door supervisor from 23:00 would be beneficial for safety.

The council's licensing sub-committee granted an application subject to conditions.

At a committee hearing, Kayley Nixon, on behalf of the force, said some agreements had been reached with him in relation to the late opening, but there had been no agreement on the issue of qualified security staff.

She added police felt an SIA qualified door supervisor from 23:00 until closing would be beneficial for the prevention of crime and disorder.

Ms Nixon also said a number of food outlets in the city were subject to this condition.

No alcohol

Mr Chohan stated it would not be financially viable to hire a licensed door supervisor, but he was happy to assign a staff member to the role.

The panel also heard any member of staff supervising the door would undertake safeguarding training and be equipped with a walkie-talkie to keep in contact with management.

The committee granted the application subject to conditions that there would be no alcohol in the shop and SIA registered staff would be employed subject to a risk assessment for each trading session.

The committee also ruled in accordance with a risk assessment kept on the premises and with prior agreement of police, one SIA registered door supervisor may be employed on individual Fridays and Saturdays.

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