A policewoman and former policeman have clashed over whether a new Hereford takeaway is likely to be a hotspot for late-night disorder.

Addressing Herefordshire Council’s licensing subcommittee which was deciding on a late-night licence application by Flames of Commercial Road, PC Kirsty Norris said the premises “attracts considerable disorder in the late-night hours”.

The previous occupant, Munchies, also offering pizza, chicken and burgers, had lost its late licence in February at the urging of police after a late-night brawl involving staff the previous December.

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In the intervening time it had been seen to be open at 4.10am, past the 3.30am cutoff on its licence, she said, and added: “Since the revocation of the late-night licence, there has been a significant drop in disorder associated with this premises.”

Yet there had been further incidents of disorder earlier in the evening, she added.

The new Flames takeaway in Commercial Road, Hereford has yet to openThe new Flames takeaway in Commercial Road, Hereford has yet to open (Image: LDRS) “It is the same as the old licence, the type of premises is not changing, and it will attract the same people,” WPC Norris said. “This licence must not be granted.”

She asked that if were to be granted, the takeaway should have three late-night door staff between Thursday and Saturday if open until 3.30am.

For the takeaway’s new owner Mohammed Gabaj, licensing consultant Nick Semper, a former Hereford police inspector, said: “This is entirely new operator on a new lease - there is no connection with the previous business.”

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While accepting proposed conditions on staff training and record keeping, he said onerous requirements for qualified door staff, at £20 an hour each, “would bankrupt the business”, while Thursday “is not big night out in the city”.

“Fear and speculation are not admissible,” he told the subcommittee’s councillors. “Your decision must be evidence-based.”

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After nearly an hour’s deliberation, chair Coun Polly Andrews said it had been “a difficult decision for the subcommittee to make” - but Mr Semper had won it round.

The application for a late-night was granted on condition that  two door staff are present after 11pm Thursday to Saturday and ahead of holidays, as well as conditions on staff training and record-keeping.

Mr Gabaj’s partner Vicky told the meeting the “revamping” of the takeaway will still take “a month, many two” and they had already secured door staff.