Bradford branch of Mr T's wins bid to stay open until 2:30am
The branch of Mr T’s on Leeds Road opened last year in a row of new units in a former DWP office building, and has since become a popular addition to the town’s food scene.
A POPULAR Bradford restaurant chain has been granted a licence to open until 2.30am – but will not be able to open until 4am on special occasions like Christmas and Eid.
The branch of Mr T’s on Leeds Road opened last year in a row of new units in a former DWP office building, and has since become a popular addition to the town’s food scene.
The business recently applied for a licence to serve food until 2.30am and until 4am on Eid, New Year’s Eve, Christmas Eve and any Sunday preceding a Bank Holiday Monday.
At a meeting of Bradford Council’s Licensing Panel on Wednesday morning, members heard that between its opening in November and March this year, the eatery had been operating past the 11pm cut off time allowed for businesses without a late-night food licence.
A representative of the company said the business had reduced its hours as soon as it was made aware it needed a licence for these late openings.
It has had late openings in recent months – but these have been through Temporary Event Notices issued by the Council.
The panel were told that there had been one objection to the licence – from a landlord who operates a number of flats in a neighbouring building.
They claimed that the car park to the rear of the business would become a hot spot for noise and anti-social behaviour should the late-night licence be approved.
The objector did not attend Wednesday’s meeting.
Chris Rees-Gay, representing Mr T’s told members: “The business has been trading since November last year, and there have been no issues related to crime and disorder.
“There have been no objections to this licence from police or environmental health – who are experts in this field.
“The new hours will create an extra shift, with six further jobs being created.
“The objector has not felt strongly enough about the licence to turn up here today.
“The applicant did operate under later hours (than 11pm) but when they discovered that a licence was needed, they ceased and this has been the case since March.”
Referring to concerns about anti-social behaviour in the car park, he said most of the business’ customers parked on neighbouring Gledhill Road, rather than the restaurant’s dedicated car park.
Councillor Ian Reed (Reform, Wyke) pointed out the late opening would attract much more traffic to the area in the early morning.
The panel was told that the business expected around 20 to 30 customers between 11pm and 2.30am.
Members asked when type of customer would be expected to visit the business after 11pm. They were told it would be a mix of taxi drivers, blue light workers and nurses from local hospitals, as well as family groups.
After a deliberation, the panel voted to grant the licence to open until 2.30am, but said it would not be allowed to open until 4am on special occasions.