A dessert takeaway business in Liverpool has been granted a premises licence after concerns from city councillors were withdrawn.
Fears had been raised by Cllrs Gerard Woodhouse and Roy Gladden that gangs could gather outside Choco Dado on County Road if a licence was approved. After discussions with the owners, the members withdrew their objections ahead of a Liverpool Council licensing and gambling sub-committee this morning.
In a five-minute session, committee chair Cllr Christine Banks signed off on amended proposals by the operators of the takeaway venue. This was despite a further objection being submitted by Cllr Maureen Delahunty-Kehoe but the County Ward member did not attend the meeting.
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Initially, the venue’s owners had sought to secure a licence permitting them to remain open until 3am from Monday to Saturday. It is currently open until 11pm.
In their submissions against the plans, the councillors raised concerns about noise and 'violence' related to groups that may gather outside the premises. It claimed that there is “already considerable Anti Social Behaviour in this area and this will contribute to more” and at first called for the licence to be rejected in full.
The short hearing this morning was told that following discussions between the owners and Clls Woodhouse and Gladden, a compromise had been reached over amended hours, prompting the removal of their objections. The business, which also has a branch on Smithdown Road, has agreed to close its doors to the public at midnight every night, only operating as a delivery service past that point. It will serve until 1am on Sundays and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays with secure access only available to staff and delivery drivers.
In awarding the amended licence, Cllr Banks urged the owners to engage with their local councillors and police officers moving forward. She said that was key to keeping staff and customers safe.
