Police object to Feta Feast extension

A licensing hearing called by Wiltshire Police in December 2011 to review the Warminster takeaway's license resulted in the opening hours being cut back until 2am (previously 3am) on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

The new proprieter has now put in an application to extend the hours to 3am on Friday and Saturday nights, and to 5am on Boxing Day and New Years Eve. The police have again objected, so another Hearing is to be held by Wiltshire Council next Thursday (Aug 23).

The licensee has offered to employ doorstaff when open after 1am, and to have an extra member of staff serving food to prevent queues building up and to help control customers.

The police say that, "The decision made by the sub-committee to vary the licence has proved to be successful in reducing incidents linked to the premises. Police believe that this variation would countermand this positive position."

Under the terms of the Licensing Act hot food takeaways can operate freely before 11pm, but they need a license to stay open later.

The police also claimed at the December hearing that when venues in the town close at 2am there's much less anti-social behaviour as drinkers tend to disperse rather than hanging around.