A TAKEAWAY owner was left frustrated and questioned why some of the city’s established fast food outlets have been previously granted late-night licences and his was not.

Khalid Mahmood, owner of Kays Chicken in The Cross, left a city council licensing committee having had his plan to stay open until 5am rejected.

Police had objected to the plan over “serious concerns” his application had not taken any of the licensing objectives seriously.

Fast food outlets in and around The Cross such as Shakeeys, McDonald’s and Subway all open until the early hours at weekends despite ongoing anti-social behaviour and problems with alcohol related violence and disorder but do so with door staff and security.

Granting more and longer licenses does pose a problem.

Police have already admitted they are unable to deal with several incidents at once in the city centre at weekends and whilst it is unfortunate for some businesses, public safety must come first.

Opening takeaways later and later will only make the problem worse.