The business in Little Ilford wants to continue serving its “piping hot pizzas” until 4am but must first convince councillors on a Newham committee, reports Nick Clark, Local Democracy Reporter

Pepperoni pizza — Photo by Alan Hardman on Unsplash

Councillors are set to decide whether to allow a pizza takeaway in Little Ilford to open late, after a neighbour objected.

Tops Pizza at 957 Romford Road wants a licence to sell late-night refreshment from 11pm to 4am. The premises is already a takeaway, and was previously Burgo Town, which specialised in burgers.

Newham Council’s licensing sub-committee is set to decide whether to grant the licence after an objection from a neighbour who claimed it has “provided a focus for rowdy and scary behaviour”.

In a letter to the council, the neighbour living in an upstairs flat next door said: “Litter, broken glass and at times vomit has been deposited on my forecourt.

“Customers have loitered outside my front door and parked motorbikes on my forecourt.”

They added: “Litter is already a particular problem for this area. We have issues with litter attracting vermin as it is. Extended opening hours for a fast food outlet would make this much worse”.

However, the application has not attracted objections from the police or the council’s licensing department.

In their application, the applicant has set out measures they would take to prevent noise, crime and disorder.

These include using CCTV to monitor antisocial behaviour, including on the street outside.

The application also says staff will be told “not to serve intoxicated persons” and will remind customers in person to leave quietly “where neccessary”.

Councillors on the licensing sub-committee will discuss the application next Wednesday (8th).

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