A Leek takeaway will be allowed to serve food after 11pm again after its previous licence was revoked – despite concerns raised by nearby residents about noise and antisocial behaviour.

Abbies in Sheep Market lost its previous late night refreshment licence after the Home Office called for a review, following the discovery of staff at the premises who were not permitted to work in the UK.

The town centre takeaway has since changed hands and is being run by a new operator.

In the premises licence form submitted to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, it was stated that the new operator has no business connection with the previous owner/operator.

Raees Khan applied for a fresh premises licence to enable Abbies to stay open until 3am. But this sparked concerns from Staffordshire Police and the district council's environmental health and licensing departments, as well as 10 objections from local residents and businesses.

On Monday (24 November), Staffordshire Moorlands District Council's Licensing Sub-Committee heard that the authority had received a number of complaints about breaches of Temporary Event Notices it had been using to trade past 11pm.

Lisa Roberts from Staffordshire Police said reports were received of customers at the premises beyond 3am on a number of occasions during the summer months.

She added: "On August 9 at 3.20am Staffordshire Police received a report of four males fighting outside Abbies. We received CCTV for August 10 which showed people still inside the premises.

"Mr Khan was stood by the door preventing people from entering the premises – the last customer left the premises at 3.07am.

"He was unable to allow the last customer to leave due to not being able to open the door without other people pushing past to come in.

"On August 16 there was a report of two intoxicated males shouting, pushing and swearing and urinating in the shop doorway next door.

"Staffordshire Police has no confidence in the management of this premises going forward. Staffordshire Police take the view this application should not be granted and it should be refused."

Nina Selmes, one of the objectors, works at nearby business Mosaic Boutique.

She said: "My objection largely remains around considerable disorder and feeling and being unsafe.

"I leave late at night and there is usually a large amount of people outside. I have, on occasion, been followed home, been subjected to considerable abuse – not just from patrons but staff.

"One man came out of the shop and told me to f*** off when my little dog was having a wee. I have been made to feel very unsafe.

"I'm a resident of Leek and a member of the night time economy, I go out of an evening and I go to the Foxlowe.

"I never feel unsafe walking home apart from Abbie's – it doesn't happen anywhere else, it happens there."

Jason Smith of Mosaic Boutique said: "We have had to put soundproof glass in at £2,000 per window.

"I have been here nearly 19 years and I know there were a lot of problems before, but it is worse now because nobody gives a damn.

"Drivers park so close to the front of my building. If there was a fire we wouldn't get out."

Following discussions with police and the council's environmental health and licensing departments, Mr Khan reduced his proposed late night opening hours, the panel was told.

Instead of opening until 3am, the amended closing times proposed are 1am Sunday to Thursday and 2am on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as Sundays before bank holidays.

The sub-committee agreed to approve the premises licence subject to a series of conditions. These include parking for members of staff, including delivery drivers to be restricted to designated public car parks.

Mr Khan must implement formal external training for all staff, including any new starters, to include confrontation avoidance training and food hygiene training.

Last orders for collection must be made 15 minutes before closing and last orders for deliveries must be 30 minutes before closing.

Chris Lucan, who represented Mr Khan at Monday's hearing, said: "This application is solely for late night refreshment.

"There is no alcohol – this is simply a small takeaway and delivery operation.

"Mr Khan purchased Abbies in early 2024 after being assured that the premises had a licence for late trading.

"He later discovered that the previous licence had been revoked due to findings of illegal working against the former owner.

"To be clear, Mr Khan has no link whatsoever to the old operator or their conduct. Yes, Mr Khan did make mistakes through inexperience during the TEN period – he accepts that.

"But he has not repeated those errors, and since instructing us he has put in place proper compliance systems, a new CCTV system, training, a noise and dispersal plan, delivery restrictions (and) a reduced hours application.

"The behaviour described in objections – street urination, shouting, fighting, drinking (and) horn beeping – is public highway behaviour, not attributable to Abbies, and cannot lawfully be used to refuse an application.

"Most of the alleged incidents pre-date Mr Khan's ownership. Much behaviour occurs after 2.30 – 3.30am when under the amended hours Abbies will not be trading."