Published: September 3, 2008
New Highbridge take-away wins bid for late night weekend opening

Controversial plans for late night opening at a new take-away business in the centre of Highbridge were given the go-ahead on Wednesday afternoon (September 3rd).

Sedgemoor's Licensing Panel considered a proposal by the owners of 16 Market Street (pictured right) to open their soon-to-open pizza take-away until midnight each night.

Market Street traders and residents, including Mick Brown, a former Highbridge councillor, had expressed concern that the late night opening could lead to anti-social behaviour and increased amounts of rubbish being strewn over nearby streets.

He put forward a motion, which was considered at Wednesday's meeting of the Licensing Panel, for the midnight opening to be rejected. But his proposal failed and the takeaway will now be able to open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

District councillor Joe Leach was among those who voted in favour of the late night opening on the proviso that it is restricted to weekends only and that notices are placed in the area requesting customers do not disturb local residents and also properly dispose of rubbish.

Cllr Leach told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "I would not have backed an application for 2am opening, which was originally mooted here, but I did give my guarded backing to the midnight opening on the proviso that it is fully regulated."

He added: "I want to encouurage new businesses to come into Highbridge but at the same time am concerned by the number of takeaways opening in the town centre which can generate various problems."

Last month, Burnham-On-Sea.com reported how town councillors had raised concerns about an application to turn the former shop at 16 Market Street into a take-away. Cllr Janet Keen expressed fears that Market Street was quickly becoming "a road full of fast-food shops."