East Reading takeaways caught selling hot food without licences
- Four takeaways in East Reading were caught selling hot food after 11pm without correct licenses in recent Council checks
- Anyone with concerns about a food business or retailer can report them in full confidence via licensing@reading.gov.uk
A NUMBER of takeaways on Wokingham Road, Reading were caught selling hot food and drinks without licences, following weekend enforcement checks by Council licensing officers.
On 20 September, officers from the Council’s licensing team carried out inspections at eight businesses in East Reading to check if premises selling hot food after 11pm had the required licenses. Under the Licensing Act 2003, selling hot food after this time is prohibited without the appropriate late-night refreshment licence.
The regulations apply to takeaways, restaurants, and petrol stations that sell hot food, or hot non-alcoholic drinks to the public between 11pm and 5am. This includes sales for consumption both on and off the premises and from mobile units and stalls.
The provision of late-night refreshments is regulated primarily because late-night gathering spots are is often linked to alcohol-fuelled crime and disorder in the night-time economy. Fast-food takeaways where late-night drinkers congregate can unwittingly fuel such incidents.
Of the eight premises subject to inspection, four offered to sell food or drink to officers without the relevant licence: Chaiiwala Reading, Munchiies Desserts and Ice Cream, and Biryani Lounge.
While Chaiiwala had permission to sell food and drink within their agreed opening hours, they did not have a license nor planning permission to serve after 11pm.
Concerningly, Munchiies and Biryani Lounge hold no planning permission to serve hot food and drink at their premises but still agreed to sell officers food during the inspection.
Licensing officers informed the four businesses that they could face prosecution if they continued to carry out these activities without either a late-night refreshment licence or a Temporary Event Notice (TEN/LICENCE). Doing so could result in an unlimited fine, up to 6 months of prison time, or both.
Officers conducted an undercover follow-up visit to Chaiiwala on 18 October, where they again witnessed staff willing to sell hot food, still without the correct licence. Further enforcement action will now be taken against the business.
Karen Rowland, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Environmental Services and Community Safety, said:
“Our licensing officers work tirelessly to ensure a level playing field for Reading businesses, and rules are in place to ensure that is the case. There is no excuse for altering those rules to suit one’s desire to make extra money when others follow the rules.
“The regulations ensure that any establishment selling hot food or drinks late at night, whether it's a takeaway, restaurant, or mobile stall, is properly licensed and accountable. They are instrumental in protecting consumers and significantly maintaining the safety of our neighbourhoods and stamping out late-night disorder around our town.”
Anyone with concerns about a food business or retailer can report them in full confidence via licensing@reading.gov.uk.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Notes for editors:
For the purposes of the Act, the provision of late-night refreshment means the supply of hot food or hot drink to the public, for consumption on or off the premises, between 11.00pm and 5.00am or the supply of hot food or hot drink to any persons between those hours on or from premises to which the public has access. This means it will include takeaways, fast food outlets and mobile catering vehicles. Premises that provide late-night refreshment need to hold a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003.
The Government feels that it is necessary to protect local residents because premises, which serve late-night refreshments, can be used by customers who may have been drinking at other premises earlier in the evening, thereby creating the potential for disorder on and near the premises. Also, because large numbers of customers may gather at places serving late-night refreshments, there is a potential for nuisance and disturbance for residents.