| Magiel-Nakla Elnakla runs four food outlets in the city centre and says takeaways are not the cause of violence and disorder and if the council cut their opening hours, trouble will only brew elsewhere.
“When people eat it helps to sober them up and if there is nowhere for them to eat after a night out, then there is likely to be more trouble,” said Mr Elnakla.
“Some weekends there are no reports of trouble. 99% of people who go out are good people and they are the ones who will be punished by not having anywhere to have something to eat because a small number of people decide to cause trouble.”
“The police think if takeaways close early there will be less trouble, but some people are just out to cause trouble and they will fight at the taxi ranks or in quieter streets.”
A special meeting of Dundee City Council’s licensing committee is to be held on Monday to decide whether to formulate a policy covering late hours catering licences or continue to determine each application on its merits.
In a letter to the licensing committee, Chief Superintendent Ian Alexander acknowledged the majority of late hours catering establishments were well run and there are seldom calls for the police to attend the premises but he called on the committee to consider imposing a reduction in their opening times.
However, due to late night anti-social behaviour occurring in Dundee, particularly when the pubs and clubs close, he said late hours catering establishments were encouraging revellers to remain in the city centre. Mr Elnakla called on the committee, to think seriously before cutting late night opening hours as it will have a wider detrimental effect on the city.
“Closing takeaways will also effect the economy, tourism and students and the city will suffer. 70% of all my takings is made late at night, early morning, and if they go ahead with this, then many will go out of business.
“The majority of people in Dundee want to eat after a night out and if the police want to reduce trouble on the streets then they should stop the clubs serving alcohol earlier.”
“After a night out it is traditional to go for something to eat. Takeaways make the city more alive and not like a ghost town. I have been in business for 18 years and it is a service to the public we provide. The police are always targeting the good people, who are the ones who will suffer, not the bad people.” |
