Late night takeaway shops in Bangor have seen a “number of incidents” of anti-social behaviour and public disorder involving alcohol, police have said. But where security staff have been employed during late hours “this has shown a reduction in problems associated with those premises”, they said.
The comments from North Wales Police were included in a report issued by Cyngor Gwynedd following a licensing application for a new takeaway in Bangor. Permission is being been sought for a premises licence for the New Bangor Grill Ltd, at Unit 25 of the Deiniol Centre.
The request has been made for the provision of late-night refreshment – on and off the premises – and will come before the council. The company is seeking a premises licence for a food collection/takeaway, delivery establishment, with a small number of dine-in seats.
The business will sell a range of grilled products, burgers, chicken, wraps, steak platters, desserts and soft drinks, the application states. According to the details, the applicant has “indicated” an intention not to employ weekend security.
But in response, North Wales Police suggests that although not mandatory, it would be “reasonable” to consider employing security. They said: “North Wales Police have no evidence of crime and disorder directly attributable to the site to justify an objection.
“However, the applicant indicated that his intention is not to employ security staff at weekends and at busy times and believes this can intimidate customers and mentioned the location of the police station nearby. North Wales Police respectfully suggest that the proximity of the police station should not be relied upon as a control measure by the applicant.
“Late takeaway shops in the city have seen a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour and public disorder involving alcohol and as a result, the majority of late takeaway businesses have chosen to employ security staff for late trading hours. Where security staff have been employed during late hours, this has shown a reduction in problems associated with those premises.
“The employment of security staff is not mandatory; however, the business is located within meters of a newly opened bar with late licence and high capacity, therefore suggest that it is reasonable to assume that this will have an impact on the business, and it would therefore be reasonable to consider employing security staff.”
Opening hours for the burger bar would be 11am to 2am, Sunday to Saturday, and for late night refreshments, indoors and outdoors, Sunday – Saturday, 11pm to 2am.
The application also notes measures proposed by the applicant to promote licensing objectives. These include refurbishments of the premises kitchen “to the highest of standards” with the “elimination” of noise and odours, as a result of a modern extraction system.
Standard operating policies will be applied to ensure the premises are “secure and free of any crime and disorder and that all staff thoroughly trained”. The design of the premises will incorporate the latest in CCTV systems “to help monitor all actions within and outside the premises”.
Cameras will be positioned at “all critical points,” and recordings kept for a minimum of 28 days. Staff will also be “trained to the highest of standards” and full operational opening and closing check-lists “fully documented” within the operations manual, and training for staff including first aid, fire safety, evacuation procedures and terror threats.
There will also be litter bins at the site for disposal of all litter and trade waste will be collected and stored using bins provided by a waste management company. Council officers at the licensing authority state they are “satisfied” that there is sufficient evidence that the application has been submitted “in accordance with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003 and relevant regulations, and is therefore valid”,
The document concludes: “It is recommended that the committee considers the representations made by North Wales Police, and considers the inclusion of a condition in respect of the provision of door security on the licence if the application is to be approved; in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003.” The matter will be considered by Cyngor Gwynedd’s central licensing sub-committee on January 21, 2025.
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