East Preston 'has had enough' with 'disturbances' from Perfect Pizza restaurant granted new licence

The licence application from Perfect Pizza, in Willowhayne Crescent, was discussed during a meeting of the licensing sub-committee on Monday (January 9).

Applicant Amanulla Masakhaila asked for the licence to cover the delivery of food from the premises until 2am Sunday to Thursday and until 3am on Friday and Saturday, with the doors closing to walk-in customers at 11pm each day.

But, after hearing from neighbours who not only complained about noise but also claimed that customers were being served after closing time, the committee reduced the requested hours of business.

The licence will allow Perfect Pizza to open for collections from noon-11pm seven days a week. But deliveries – which have to be done from the rear of the restaurant – will end at 1am Sunday to Thursday and 3am Friday and Saturday.

Mr Masakhaila was told that last orders for collections should be 10.30pm, with pick-ups no later than 11pm.

The council heard from two members of the public and East Preston Parish Council, who made representations on the grounds of Prevention of Public Nuisance and the Prevention of Crime and Disorder and Public.

Mention was made of ‘anti-social behaviour, intimidation and threats’, with the business described as having ‘a complete disregard for the community’.

Karen Rogers told the sub-committee that the ‘whole village has had enough’ and warned that allowing the licence would ‘allow them to ride roughshod’ over the village.

Roy Allen said there had been ‘disturbances’ from the restaurant since 2019 and he had video evidence of previous licensing conditions being violated.

He added that he was ‘not against Perfect Pizza’ but he just did not want them opening until the early hours of the morning.

Accusations of racism were thrown around by Mr Masakhaila.

He told the meeting that Perfect Pizza was ‘struggling to pay rent’, adding that the restaurant attracted the most business after 11pm.

A report to the sub-committee said the restaurant had been operating without a premises licence since mid-2021 as Mr Masakhaila, who took over the business that year, had not renewed it and had not had it transferred into his name.