Takeaway shop to stay open until midnight despite residents concern for ‘current state of the area’

By Ben Lynch, Local Democracy Reporter

A West London takeaway shop has been granted permission to extend its opening hours despite concerns including the potential impact on noise and nuisance.

Master Kebab and Pizza on Goldhawk Road in Shepherd’s Bush was seeking to amend its existing premises licence to remain open until midnight Sunday to Thursday and 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. 

While predominantly a takeaway restaurant, Master Kebab and Pizza does cater for a small number of people on-site, with around eight seats. It does not sell alcohol.

Two representations were submitted against the proposal by residents, with one writing “the current state of the area in terms of drug addicts, drunks, crime and violence” meant it should be refused.

Another wrote: “This request should be denied on the grounds of risk of noise and nuisance from people attending late night providers of food.”

Master and Kebab and Pizza’s licence enabled it to sell alcohol off the premises between 8am and 11pm Monday to Saturday and Sunday 10am to 10.30pm. Its submission requested permission to not only stay open later but to also provide ‘late-night refreshment’ both indoors and outdoors.

At a Hammersmith and Fulham council Licensing Sub-Committee meeting on Tuesday night, members opted to grant extended opening hours, with several additional conditions attached.

Cllr Dominic Stanton asked about any waiting areas for delivery drivers, given the bulk of the business is takeaways, to which Mr Urathodi said they currently wait outside until the food is ready.

Cllr Patrick Walsh, who was chairing the meeting, put concerns about ventilation and littering to Mr Urathodi. The applicant said due to Master Kebab and Pizza primarily dealing with takeaways there is not much in the way of littering, and that the premises already has a ‘big canopy’ installed for ventilation.

Committee members agreed to extend the opening hours and amend the licence to enable late-night refreshments to be served both indoors and out. However, both of these were curtailed to midnight Monday to Sunday, with fresh conditions including delivery drivers having to wait inside the premises after 11pm and the requirement an incident log is kept.

Pictured top: Master Kebab and Pizza on Goldhawk Road in London (Picture: Google Street View)