A pizza takeaway has lost its bid to stay open until the early hours.

Super Pizza in Batchelor Street, Chatham, had asked Medway Council if it could stay open until 5am, but concerns around noise complaints and drunk customers lead councillors to turn down the plans.

In February, the eatery had asked Medway Council for a late night refreshment licence, which would mean it could continue to sell hot food past 11pm.

It is currently allowed to stay open until 1am, Sundays to Thursdays, and up to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

The takeaway's owners had not made a separate planning application to the council to extend the operating hours.

Reports submitted to councillors ahead of the meeting also included a petition in favour of the plans which was signed by five residents.

During a meeting of the authority's licensing hearing panel this morning, Eric Oppong, representing applicant Mohabat Khan, said the eatery has been open since 2016 and predominately gets its custom through deliveries.

'As things stand, this is far from being a problem premises'

He added how Mr Khan was prompted to apply for a later licence after people continued to call the business after closing time.

He told councillors the shop's front door would be closed after 12pm meaning customers would not be able to access the premises or order a pizza unless it was by phone.

The council's environmental health team were fearful residents living nearby would be disturbed by noise caused by customers, delivery drivers, and the kitchen's ventilation system if the hours were extended, and objected to the plans.

Environmental protection officer, Kelly Payne, said the revised opening hours were not considered acceptable due to how close the business is to residential properties, pointing out how a development of flats in the road is currently under construction.

She was also concerned granting the licence would set a precedent for other businesses in Medway seeking to extend their opening hours.

PC Dan Hunt from Kent Police was also concerned about the possibility of customers who could be drunk coming to the takeaway from night spots in Rochester and the Tap N Tin nightclub in nearby Railway Street.

He said there was a possibility these people could cause a disturbance and produce litter.

He said: "As things stand, this is far from being a problem premises. It is a premises which currently isn't of concern to Kent Police.

"That said, our concerns about the additional hours and the increased risk for crime, disorder, and possible disturbance to residents in what would appear to be an up-coming residential area are genuine concerns."

Panel chairman Cllr Diane Chambers (Con) said: "Personally, I can't imagine who would want a pizza at 4am, but that's me. I'm asleep!"

An earlier story incorrectly stated Super Pizza had asked the council for a licence to sell alcohol into the early hours.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service is happy to correct this.