"BEST GRUB IN CHIPPY"
 NOW AVAILABLE
UNTIL 3am

On Tuesday, West Oxfordshire District Council gave Hasan Salik permission to stay open in Market Square until 3am at weekends providing he and business partner Zeynel Caner take measures to reduce the noise of their mobile generator. It was previously allowed to open until 1am. In a letter to the council, resident Mary Whitehead wrote: "It is disgraceful such a van should have been given permission in the first place to park in the lower Market Square. It is smelly, creates dirt and waste and allows gangs to make life uncomfortable for other pedestrians." Roger Backhaus of Market Square claims noise from the van's generator and rowdy customers keep him and his wife awake at night. He said: "I just hope the atmosphere we enjoy living in the town centre won't be too adversely affected if there's a greater move to a late-night culture." Peter Shirley of West Street added: "The owners clean up litter by the van but I'm often waking up to find kebab wrappers dumped in my garden as people eat on their way home."

Inspector Nick Deacon said the police had concerns about violence and drinkers spilling out on to the roads while they were waiting for fast food. He said: "This 3am licence will change the dynamic of Chipping Norton's nightlife and the police will have to act accordingly."  But police withdrew their objection to the licence because of a lack of evidence the van was directly responsible for problems. Mr Salik said: "A lot of people come to my kebab van, we're always busy and when we close at one many people complain."

His plan to extend opening hours of the kebab van have been backed by some residents. Mandy Clark, a friend of the owners, collected 316 signatures from people who supported the van in the town. She said: "It has customers throughout the evening and with pubs now opening until 1am there's bound to be a market." Customer Susan Shepherd said: "There would be hell to pay if anything happened to this van. It's the best grub in Chippy!"

READ THE REPORT OF THE HEARING

From the report of the hearing.....

The Council�s licensing officer presented her report outlining the application. She indicated that objections had been raised by the Chipping Norton Town Council and members of the public. The Thames Valley Police had withdrawn their objections to the application and no further representations had been received from responsible authorities.

Mr Backhaus then addressed the meeting. He explained that his property was situated between the Somerfield store and the National Westminster Bank and that he therefore considered himself to be fully conversant with the implications of the extension of hours sought. He advised that deliveries to the Somerfield store commenced at 05.00 (having been changed from 04.00 at his request) and that an extension in the operating hours of the kebab van to 03.00 would result in only a short undisturbed period during the night. Dr Brooks asked Mr Backhaus to elaborate on the nature of the nuisance experienced. Mr Backhaus advised that in the early evening the operation was quiet but that when customers left public houses at closing time there was a tendency for them to gather at and around the vehicle with noise becoming noticeable as a result. Further, if the vehicle was not at its designated site, noise could be heard from the generator.

Ms Clark, representing the applicants then addressed the meeting. She advised that the extended hours were sought to meet demand from those leaving licensed premises at 01.00. She stated that the business had operated for 13 to 15 years and the applicants had no wish to upset or inconvenience local residents. If permitted, the applicants would operate sensibly and would not wish to see rowdy or raucous behaviour or any form of anti social activity which would be potentially detrimental to the long term viability of their business. Ms Clark advised that the van was situated within the designated trading area in such a way so as to prevent customers straying onto the highway during busy periods. She also confirmed that the business did not sell alcohol and had no plans to do so, pointing out that it appeared that a number of the concerns raised related to excessive drinking. In response to a question from Mr Hudspeth, the applicants confirmed that there were two staff supervising the operation at all times and that they could call for assistance from the police in the event of any disturbance. Ms Clark advised that the applicants maintained a good working relationship with the local police and took measures to ensure their customers behaviour did not get out of hand. She also suggested that the provision of food could help redress the effect of excessive drinking. In response to a question from Mr Backhaus delivered through the Chairman, Ms Clark reiterated that the applicants wished to extend their current hours to meet demand from those leaving licensed premises at the close of business. In response to a question from Mr Handley, the applicants confirmed that they were concerned that potential customers could become more rowdy if they were required by the terms of their licence to close and refuse service at the time that people were leaving licensed premises expecting food to be available. By managing the respective closing times this difficulty could be minimised. Dr Brooks enquired how peak sales periods related to the closing of licensed premises. The applicants advised that there did not tend to be an immediate rush as regular clients knew their hours of operation. Ms Clark advised that a petition of 316 signatures had been collected from customers since 9th June.