Croydon Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee will meet tomorrow (April 15) at 10.30am to review an application from Pizza City, previously Best Kebab, for a premises licence to serve late-night refreshments.
Pizza City, located on 60 Shirley Road, is currently open daily from 12pm to 11pm.
But the applicant, Faisal Khan Niazi, is asking to stay open until 2am from Sunday to Thursday, and until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.
The plan will allow customers to walk into the shop until closing time and for there to be a delivery service all day.
In order for the application to be approved, the applicant must meet four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.
Pizza City has assured the council that it will meet each criterion.
Mr Niazi stated that the staff will take measures to minimise noise and loud talking by placing reminder notes on the walls.
Additionally, all employees working the late shift will receive training on how to deal with noisy customers.
To meet the criteria of preventing crime and disorder, Mr Niazi stated that the staff will “not argue with any customers if they are making any problems” and that CCTV images will be retained for a minimum of 30 days and “be produced on the request of the police”.
A4-sized warning notices will be displayed in public areas of the premises and at all entrances, reminding customers that CCTV is in operation.
To meet the criteria of public safety, Mr Niazi said that staff would “serve takeaway orders as quickly as possible to avoid many customers in the premises”.
He explained that the shop adheres to the philosophy of “the customer is always right” and is committed to always treating customers with respect.
In order to meet the criteria of the prevention of public nuisance, Pizza City staff will ask customers to “respect our neighbours if they are making any noise” and that all delivery drivers will leave the shop “very quietly”.
Doors and windows will be closed as much as possible, and it will be staff policy to “leave the premises quickly and quietly”, Mr Niazi said.
Finally, when it came to the criteria of protecting children from harm, Mr Niazi said in his application letter: “Where there is a risk to children, measures should be taken to ensure their safety and wellbeing.”
He added: “All our staff must treat all the children with respect.”
Despite having met all requirements under the Licensing Act 2003, not everybody fully supports the application.
One resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, submitted an objection to the council.
The resident states: “There is a pub a few yards on the opposite side of the road.
“My worry is that if they want more alcohol after the pub has shut, they will visit the shop.
“I live here on my own and would be extremely worried of large groups of drunk people outside, and having been a victim of crime, I would not feel safe in my own home.”
The resident also expressed concerns about how Oasis Academy is nearby and that the extended hours will “entice children” and that there will be a “temptation to try and buy alcohol there”.
They added: “This licence will not bring anything to the community.
“Shirley Road is a busy road, but a very residential area and normally quiet on footfall by 11pm.
“These extended hours will just bring unwanted nuisance, rubbish, and unwanted behaviour that nobody wants.”
Croydon Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee will make a decision by Tuesday, April 22.
Anybody can attend the council meeting.
