Dudley Council has approved late-night opening for the Burger Boi takeaway on Birmingham New Road in Coseley, despite objections from all three ward councillors. The Licensing Sub-Committee granted permission for the premises to open until midnight from Sunday to Thursday and until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.
The committee meeting on August 18 heard concerns about noise, antisocial behaviour, and potential road safety issues. Councillor Peter Drake told the committee that a 2am closing time was 'a step too far'.
Councillor raises antisocial behaviour fears
Cllr Drake said: "This is not an area renown for night life, it is a mixed use area, you do have shops, on the other side, within shouting distance, you've got houses."
He added: "There is trouble in the area, you have police patrolling the area because of antisocial behaviour, a bus stop down the road was vandalised with racist graffiti, the alley at the back of Burger Boi has been used by people to defecate, there is fly-tipping there. I don't think it is fair on residents having this place open late at night."
Cllr Drake also expressed concern about drivers making illegal U-turns on the dual carriageway to access a service road in front of the takeaway.
Manager defends track record
Burger Boi manager Dinesh Singh told the committee that 80 percent of trade at the premises came from delivery apps, with only a small amount of in-dining. He noted there had been no objections from police, the fire service, or environmental health officers, and he was willing to work within a range of voluntary conditions if the application was accepted.
Mr Singh said: "On certain parts there is a bit of an over reach on assumptions, for example graffiti and vandalism; unless there is evidence it is an assumption to say its potentially our customers."
He added: "We have been trading for over a year, the police have never been called to our premises."
Responding to concerns about illegal U-turns, Mr Singh said there was a legal route drivers could take, and if there were a problem, a nearby 24-hour McDonald's restaurant would have already been subject to restrictions. He said: "It looks like the system is working, we are not a whale, we will not have the level of orders that McDonald's has."
Conditions and review warning
The panel granted the application subject to the voluntary conditions but warned that if issues arose within six months, Burger Boi would be back before the committee for a licence review.
