CONTROVERSIAL plans have been submitted which could see the opening hours extended at a city centre takeaway.

The proposal for Barcelos Piri Piri, in Jewry Street, Winchester, have already attracted a number of objections.

If approved, the Portuguese-style takeaway, which specialises in flame grilled chicken, would be able to serve customers until 3am.

Currently, it can only open between 11am and 11pm.

In a letter to Winchester City Council planners, a spokesman for the restaurant said the new hours would be in line with the neighbouring City Fish Bar, and a bouncer would be employed between 12am and 3am.

City Fish Bar is among those who have so far objected. A spokesman for the business wrote to planners: “I object to the above opening hours as this will cause added stress to the amount of people in the area between those hours and [make it] harder for the police to control after pubs close.”

Another business to object was Computer Solutions, based a few door further along Jewry Street. Managing director James Dickens wrote: “We have found that after a late night licence was granted to number five (City Fish Bar) some years ago there was a significant rise in damage to our property and we had to invest in extra security to combat this.

“We believe that with another late night eatery in close proximity the risk associated with this would increase (due to intoxicated late night customers gathering outside of our premises).”

He added: “More late night customers would cause more waste food left outside of our premises. Despite the close proximity of bins we already find discarded food outside of our shop and with a second late night eatery this would no doubt get worse.

“We already have numerous bins with food waste overflowing and an ongoing rat problem has ensued. We have had pest control tell us it is ‘inevitable’ with the takeaways, and late night intoxicated customers will over serve to make this issue worse.”

A number of residents in nearby streets also objected on the ground of noise and litter.

Adam Major, of High Street, said: “Having another vendor open supplying food late on weekend nights and late on week nights will cause more noise pollution and public nuisance.”

Cenk Guler, of Hyde Street, added: “It will bring extra noise and rubbish to where I live.

“Currently, I am woken up at a weekend. With another business trading at the above times it will bring great upset to my family.”

A decision expected on Monday.

  • What do you think of the plans? Write to letters@hampshirechronicle.co.uk.