Plan for takeaway pizza at 3 a.m. leads to objection from the city council

Caprinos Pizza in Market Place, Wellington, has applied for permission to trade until 3am every Friday and Saturday evening – which they say will rival the competition.

However, Wellington City Council has voiced its opposition to the change in opening hours after raising concerns it could lead to more anti-social behaviour.

They said: “Anti-social hours will encourage more anti-social behavior in that area. There are also residents in the immediate area who need to be taken into account when it comes to noise levels.”

If their proposal is approved, Caprinos Pizza would be allowed to open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.

“The client is seeking permission for the above location to vary opening hours due to loss of turnover benefiting other local nearby eateries,” according to a planning statement submitted to Telford & Wrekin Council.

“Looking at the history of the local area and the wider Telford & Wrekin area, there are many examples where the local authority has deemed such an adjustment to opening hours necessary to keep local businesses thriving in very difficult economic climates.

“To conclude, the stated hours in this application will be when the company will cease operations and staff will also leave the premises at these times.

“Unlike many other outlets, the customer’s business does not have any music or activities of any kind running late into the night and the type of food prepared is oven-baked pizza.”

Caprinos Pizza moved to Wellington after planning permission was approved almost three years ago to convert the building from a dessert restaurant to selling hot food.

The permission came with a restriction on opening hours, which they now want to change.

The application was supported by two Wellington residents who believed the opening hours requirement was ‘not fair’ to the business.

Another resident argued the business ‘shouldn’t be blamed’ for anti-social behavior which police have the power to tackle.

“Depriving a local business of hours that put it in line with others in the immediate area is unfair and discriminatory,” a supporting statement said.

“The city was a business district long before it was used for residential purposes. Businesses should not be penalized for wanting a level playing field when it comes to streamlining opening/trading hours in line with other local businesses of the same type.”

The variation in the planning application for opening hours can be viewed on Telford & Wrekin Council’s planning portal on their website, number TWC/2024/0245. Any comments should be made during the consultation process, which ends on April 25