Later hours for Hereford food outlet would be 'nuisance'

A city-centre fast food restaurant is seeking to stay open until 1am, and 2am at weekends, but the area’s councillor has warned this will increase late-night anti-social behaviour in the area.

The bid by owners of the Pepe’s Piri-Piri chicken restaurant in Hereford’s pedestrianised Commercial Street will be decided on next week.

But Green councillor Jeremy Milln, who represents the area on both Herefordshire Council and Hereford City Council, submitted to the licensing board meeting that approving the late hours would “not be in the interest of the prevention of disorder”.

“Since consent was granted in 2019 for Pepe’s opening until 11pm, it, together with the other new fast food outlets on Commercial Street, have contributed to a considerable rise in disorderly behaviour including littering and unlawful driving and parking in the pedestrianised area,” he said.

“A further extension of opening is anticipated to extend the nuisance and consequent costs to the council and to the amenity of ordinary people.”

Meanwhile, West Mercia Police has set out a number of conditions on the licence extension, including CCTV recording of high enough quality to be used in court, registered late-night door staff, two extra litter bins and regular litter clearance, and signage telling customers to leave quietly.