A GOURMET kebab chain has applied for a licence to serve up food to its customers until 2am on weekends.

German Doner Kebab (GDK) is hoping that Middlesbrough Council will grant it permission to open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays and midnight every other night.

Currently, the Linthorpe Road restaurant closes every night at 11pm.

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The application for the licence states: “There are a large number of bars offering late-night alcoholic refreshment in the local area, with a more limited amount of hot food services on offer in these areas.

“This indicates an under-representation of such services in the local area.

“It is therefore considered that the addition of GDK, with plenty of inside seating for customers, will provide a place for people to “wind down” quietly in a well-managed location, providing hot food and non-alcoholic drinks.”

The kebab restaurant opened on Linthorpe Road in October last year, replacing Kebabish.

At the time, Daniel Bunce, GDK managing director for UK and Europe, said: “Our game-changing kebabs are revolutionising the kebab in the UK and we are excited to be bringing a new fast-casual experience to the people of Middlesbrough, offering great tasting fresh food in a relaxed and modern setting.”

As GDK is in central Middlesbrough, it is covered by the council’s cumulative impact policy, which is in place in areas saturated by late-night food outlets and premises selling alcohol which are linked to an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.

However, according to the licensing application which was submitted by SBG Riverside Ltd, the extended hours should not have a negative impact.

The application added: “It is understood the property is located in the cumulative impact area as noted in the licensing policy.

“The operator also owns other GDK restaurants located in cumulative impact areas, operating successfully at the hours proposed in the application.

“It is also understood the previous occupier operated as a late-night service and so the combination of this, and the strong procedures in place – such as CCTV, training, non-alcoholic beverage offering, alarms, signage, and waste control to name a few – means there should not be a negative impact on the local area and without infringing upon the policy.

“The applicant is willing to work with the council and local authorities to ensure the local area is not negatively impacted by the extension of hours as proposed, with the inclusion of additional measures if reasonably required.”

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In the application, it also states that loud music won’t be played at night and staff will be first aid trained.

The last date for public comments on the application is March 17.

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